The NHL’s Department of Player Safety has announced that Dallas Stars captain Jamie Benn has been fined $2,604.17, the maximum allowable under the Collective Bargaining Agreement, for cross-checking Minnesota Wild forward Ryan Hartman.
The incident occurred during the third period of Tuesday’s Game 5, with the Stars trailing 3-1. Just seconds after taking a high hit from Hartman, Benn retaliated by delivering a cross-check to Hartman’s ribs before a second, more dangerous blow connected with the back of Hartman’s head. While the Wild forward was visibly dazed, officials assessed minor penalties to both players, with an unsportsmanlike conduct for Hartman and cross-checking for Benn.
This fine brings another entry in the Department of Player Safety’s file on the Stars’ captain. Benn is no stranger to postseason discipline; most notably, he received a two-game suspension during the 2023 Western Conference Final for a similar cross-check to the neck of Vegas’ Mark Stone. Just last season, Benn was also fined the maximum for roughing Winnipeg’s Mark Scheifele during the second round.
The decision to opt for a fine rather than a suspension follows a consistent, albeit controversial pattern for the league this season. The Department of Player Safety has been hesitant to hand out postseason bans, previously issuing maximum fines to players like Ryan Strome and Seth Jarvis for similar high-sticking or cross-checking infractions in high-stakes games.
While Benn avoids a seat in the press box for Game 6, his “repeat offender” status and history of targeted hits in the playoffs continue to be a talking point. With the Stars now facing elimination and trailing 3-2 in the series, they will need Benn to keep his emotions in check as they head back to Minnesota.
It ain’t over until the fat lady sings, or in the case of the Dallas Stars season.
It ain’t over until Jamie Benn tries to decapitate someone.
He’s got nothing on me!
-Orenthal James Simpson 🗡
@HockeyRules21 – Can you please put a glove on that pig sticker? 🧤 (I found the other one).
Rantanen, And, Benn are toxic with all there stupid penalties at the worst possible times.
Absolute joke of a human, and of a punishment.
That statement applies to both Benn and Hartman
I assume Hartman is getting a 10-game suspension for getting cross-checked in the head
— Michael Russo (@RussoHockey) April 29, 2026
Two things are true here: Hartman deserves to be crosschecked and Benn does something stupid every playoffs.
Benn Is a cheap shot punk He only goes out there to hurt people
Not surprised the NHL discipline besides being completely inconsistent is an absolute joke! A cross-check to the head by a repeat offender & he only gets a meaningless fine. JOKE!
Fines are all show for the fans. To most fans, $2,607 is still a lot of money.
To the players and league that and more can be found in their couch cushions.
Want to see how hockey has digressed? Watch some NHL playoff replays from the 1990s.
The Captain and The Moose are getting a bit out of hand, with their wires touching like this. They could penalize themselves out of the playoffs tonight.