Jamie Benn To Have Hearing With Department Of Player Safety
It was not a good night for the Dallas Stars. Already down 2-0 in their third-round series against the Vegas Golden Knights, the team allowed Jonathan Marchessault to get free in the left circle and wire home his seventh goal of the playoffs. Less than a minute later, captain Jamie Benn would let his frustration get the better of him, delivering a cross-check to a prone Mark Stone.
The incident would result in a five-minute major penalty and game misconduct for Benn, who played just 42 seconds in a must-win game. The Stars would lose 4-0, fans would throw trash onto the ice, forcing team president Brad Alberts to issue a public apology, and now, all but eliminated, will likely be without Benn for at least another game.
Benn will have a hearing with the Department of Player Safety today to determine if supplemental discipline is required.
The Stars captain refused to take questions after the game, and may not get another chance to hit the ice, should a suspension come down the pipe. Vegas managed just 16 shots on goal last night but still somehow cruised to an easy victory, inching them closer to another Stanley Cup Final appearance.
Benn had a brilliant bounce-back season with 78 points in 82 games (his highest total since 2018) but has struggled to find the back of the net in the playoffs. He now has three goals in 16 games while recording 51 penalty minutes.
Jani Hakanpaa Returns To Stars Lineup
Saad Yousuf of The Athletic reports that Dallas Stars defenseman Jani Hakanpaa will be back in the team’s lineup for Game 3. Hakanpaa is yet to play in the Western Conference Final, and has been out of the Stars lineup since Game 6 of the team’s second round series victory over the Seattle Kraken. He has missed the past three games, and also missed Game 4 of the Kraken series.
Injury details are often kept quiet in the NHL postseason and Hakanpaa’s ailment is no exception. It was labelled as a lower-body injury but there was never a timeline given on his return nor was there any more details mentioned about how the injury actually occurred or what exactly is bothering him.
The 31-year-old defenseman will step back into the Stars lineup and provide a physical presence in his defensive role. The 6-foot-6 defender does not put up a ton of points, but regularly was playing over 20 minutes per game before injury knocked him out of the lineup. He had one goal and two points in 11 playoff games so far this spring and also scored six goals and 16 points while playing all 82 regular season games for the Stars.
The Stars have lost the first two games of the series, both in overtime, and will look to avoid a nearly insurmountable 3-0 series deficit with a win on home ice tonight.
Jani Hakanpää Will Play Game 4
- Dallas Stars defenseman Jani Hakanpää took pregame skate this morning and is expected to play in tonight’s Game 3 against Vegas, per Stars radio analyst Bruce LeVine. The 31-year-old defensive stalwart missed the last three games with an upper-body injury. The 6-foot-7 Finn contributed a career-high 16 points and +18 rating during the regular season.
List Of NHL Prospects Attending 2023 Memorial Cup
After the OHL’s Peterborough Petes and the QMJHL’s Québec Remparts took home their respective league championships yesterday, the field for the 2023 Memorial Cup is set. They’ll be joined by two WHL teams – the league champion Seattle Thunderbirds and the host team Kamloops Blazers – on their quest to capture the pinnacle of North American junior hockey.
Pitting best against best at the U21 level from across the continent, the tournament also gives NHL-drafted prospects an early taste of high-pressure hockey on a larger stage than regular junior play. If you’re looking to see your favorite team’s prospects have big performances at this tournament, which runs from May 26 to June 4, we’re providing a comprehensive list of NHL-affiliated prospects attending the tournament.
There will be a new champion this year after last year’s winner, the QMJHL’s Saint John Sea Dogs, lost to the Gatineau Olympiques in five games in their first-round series in the QMJHL playoffs. Chicago and Dallas lead the way with three representatives at the tournament, while nine teams (Boston, Colorado, Detroit, Edmonton, Los Angeles, Ottawa, Pittsburgh, San Jose, and Tampa Bay) don’t have any prospects playing this year.
Anaheim Ducks
C Nathan Gaucher (Québec, 2022 22nd overall)
LD Olen Zellweger (Kamloops, 2021 34th overall)
Arizona Coyotes
RW Dylan Guenther (Seattle, 2021 9th overall)
LD Jérémy Langlois (Québec, 2022 94th overall)
Boston Bruins
none
Buffalo Sabres
RD Vsevolod Komarov (Québec, 2022 134th overall)
Calgary Flames
LW Lucas Ciona (Seattle, 2021 173rd overall)
Carolina Hurricanes
C Justin Robidas (Québec, 2021 147th overall)
Chicago Blackhawks
LD Kevin Korchinski (Seattle, 2022 7th overall)
LD Nolan Allan (Seattle, 2021 32nd overall)
C Colton Dach (Seattle, 2021 62nd overall)
Colorado Avalanche
none
Columbus Blue Jackets
LW James Malatesta (Québec, 2021 133rd overall)
Dallas Stars
C Logan Stankoven (Kamloops, 2021 47th overall)
RD Gavin White (Peterborough, 2022 115th overall)
RW Matthew Seminoff (Kamloops, 2022 179th overall)
Detroit Red Wings
none
Edmonton Oilers
none
Florida Panthers
LD Evan Nause (Québec, 2021 56th overall)
Los Angeles Kings
none
Minnesota Wild
C Caedan Bankier (Kamloops, 2021 86th overall)
RD Kyle Masters (Kamloops, 2021 118th overall)
Montreal Canadiens
C Owen Beck (Peterborough, 2022 33rd overall)
C Jared Davidson (Seattle, 2022 130th overall)
Nashville Predators
LW Reid Schaefer (Seattle, 2022 32nd overall)
RD Luke Prokop (Seattle, 2020 73rd overall)
New Jersey Devils
RW Chase Stillman (Peterborough, 2021 29th overall)
New York Islanders
LW Daylan Kuefler (Kamloops, 2022 174th overall)
New York Rangers
LW Brennan Othmann (Peterborough, 2021 16th overall)
Ottawa Senators
none
Philadelphia Flyers
LD Brian Zanetti (Peterborough, 2021 110th overall)
C Jon-Randall Avon (Peterborough, undrafted)
Pittsburgh Penguins
none
San Jose Sharks
none
Seattle Kraken
C Tucker Robertson (Peterborough, 2022 123rd overall)
St. Louis Blues
C Zachary Bolduc (Québec, 2021 17th overall)
Tampa Bay Lightning
none
Toronto Maple Leafs
C Fraser Minten (Kamloops, 2022 38th overall)
Vancouver Canucks
C Connor Lockhart (Peterborough, 2021 178th overall)
Vegas Golden Knights
C Jordan Gustafson (Seattle, 2022 79th overall)
RW Jakub Demek (Kamloops, 2021 128th overall)
Washington Capitals
C Ryan Hofer (Kamloops, 2022 181st overall)
Winnipeg Jets
C Brad Lambert (Seattle, 2022 30th overall)
Jani Hakanpaa To Miss Game One
As the Western Conference Finals begin this evening, the Dallas Stars will be out a defenseman, as Tracey Myers of the NHL reports that Jani Hakanpaa will miss Game One, and Colin Miller will take his place in the lineup. Hakanpaa has not played since Game Six against the Seattle Kraken, and may still be out with the lower-body injury that hampered him during that semifinal series.
This will be the third game that Hakanpaa has missed for the Stars so far this playoffs but has proven to be a serviceable defenseman when he has played. In 11 games in this postseason, Hakanpaa has scored one goal and one assist, averaging nearly 21 minutes a night in the process.
Miller, who will be replacing Hakanpaa in the lineup against the Vegas Golden Knights, managed to play in five games for Dallas when they took on the Kraken. In their previous series, Miller added one assist, averaging just over 15 minutes a game.
The Stars’ ability to replace a player in their lineup with seemingly a similar caliber player is a testament to the depth that this team has put together. With currently eight defensemen on their playoff roster, Dallas has built up a formidable blueline staff and is a major reason for their progression in this year’s playoffs.
PHR Playoff Primer: Dallas Stars vs Vegas Golden Knights
With the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs now underway, PHR makes its first foray into playoff series analysis with our 2023 Playoff Primers. Where does each team stand in their series, and what storylines could dominate on and off the ice? Our Conference Finals coverage continues with the Western Conference matchup between the Dallas Stars and Vegas Golden Knights.
The Stanley Cup Playoffs semifinal matchups are set and the Sun Belt franchises will take center stage. While the Carolina Hurricanes will take on the Florida Panthers in the Eastern Conference Final, it will be the Dallas Stars and Vegas Golden Knights facing off to be the western conference champion.
While the Western Conference Final features two teams in non-traditional hockey markets, these are no cinderella squads on an unlikely run. In fact, the Stars and Golden Knights are two powerhouses who will go toe-to-toe in what promises to be an exciting, fast-paced and highly skilled matchup.
The Golden Knights finished atop the Pacific Division standings and were the top ranked team in the entire western conference with a record of 51-22-9 which gave them 111 points. The Stars were not far behind, finishing second in the Central Division with 108 points, just one back of the Colorado Avalanche for top spot in the division.
Regular Season Performance
Vegas: 51-22-9, 111 points, +43 goal differential
Dallas: 47-21-14, 108 points, +67 goal differential
Head-To-Head
January 16, 2023: Dallas 4, Vegas 0
February 25, 2023: Dallas 3, Vegas 2 (SO)
April 8, 2023: Dallas 2, Vegas 1 (SO)
Dallas takes season series 3-0-0
Team Storylines
One question for Vegas is whether or not star winger Mark Stone has another strong series in him. He is clearly dealing with back discomfort and appeared frustrated at times in the postseason as teams targeted him. He remained calm enough to score a pair of goals and four points in six games while playing great defensive hockey as usual. Can he continue to play well throughout the postseason? We shall soon find out.
Speaking of great defensive hockey, one question for the Stars is can they break through the Golden Knights defensive shield at even strength? The Edmonton Oilers could not get anything done at 5-on-5 against the Golden Knights, even with two of the league’s best players on their roster. The Oilers, the NHL’s highest scoring team in the regular season, scored ten goals in the final four games of their series with the Golden Knights, lost three of them and were eliminated.
The Stars have shown they have the depth to score at even strength. In their seven game series victory over the Seattle Kraken, they scored 22 goals at even strength, which is an average of just over three per game.
Will they be able to continue that pace in round three? Joe Pavelski is scoring at will this postseason with eight goals in eight games played. Roope Hintz leads the way for the Stars with 19 points in 13 games. Jason Robertson, Max Domi, Jamie Benn, Tyler Seguin, and Evgeni Dadonov all have nine or more points in 13 games as well giving the Stars tremendous scoring depth up front.
Flipping back to the Golden Knights, they have plenty of scoring depth of their own. Jack Eichel leads the way with 14 points in 11 games so far in the playoffs. Stone is also over a point per game with 12. Chandler Stephenson, Jonathan Marchessault, Ivan Barbashev, Reilly Smith andWilliam Karlsson all have eight or more points, with scoring coming from each of the team’s top three lines.
Both teams bolster deep blue lines as well. The Golden Knights rely heavily on Alex Pietrangelo, Shea Theodore andAlec Martinez who form a tremendous top three. Nic Hague, Brayden McNabb and Zach Whitecloud round out an extremely deep and talented group of two-way defenders who can chip in with plenty of offense while playing fantastic defensive hockey.
The Stars have a nice mix of veteran savvy and youthful exuberance on the back end. Ryan Suter and Colin Miller may not be as effective as they once were, but they provide a steady defensive presence and leadership qualities. Miro Heiskanen is an elite defenseman who could garner Conn Smythe votes if he keeps playing the way he has so far in the postseason. The 23 year old is joined by 21 year old Thomas Harley, who quickly emerged as a key defender and has seven points in 13 playoff games.
Perhaps the biggest question heading into this series is which goaltender can bounce back the quickest? Neither were spectacular in the second round, but getting hot for the next two weeks would lead their team to the Stanley Cup Finals.
Jake Oettinger started every game for the Stars in their series win over the Kraken, but he had a 3.50 GAA and a .877 save percentage in those seven games. Adin Hill took over from Laurent Brossoit and started the final three games of the series after performing well in relief in Game 2 and 3. He allowed seven goals in his first two starts but then shut the door, stopping 38 of 40 shots to help the Knights advance with a Game 6 win.
Will Oettinger return to form and be the best goalie in the series? Or will Hill use his most recent start as a jumping off point for a great series? The answers to those questions could determine who moves on to the Stanley Cup Finals.
Dallas Stars head coach Peter Deboer is in familiar territory in this series. He was hired as the coach of the Golden Knights in January of 2020 and helped them reach the Western Conference Final where they lost to the… Dallas Stars. This rematch now sees Deboer on the other bench, and he will look to get back at his former team for firing him.
Prediction
Two deep teams with no weaknesses that jump out at you will lead to a long series. Both teams have deep blue lines, both teams will get scoring from up and down their lineup, both teams can defend well and play a physical style of hockey.
Also important at this time of year is both teams have remained quite healthy. Everyone is dealing with bumps and bruises but there are no long-term injuries to star players on either lineup right now. That makes the margin for error quite slim on either side.
When it all boils down, goaltending could be the difference, and Oettinger seems to be the more likely choice to have a strong seven game series. That could give the slightest of edges to the Stars in a series that promises to be a long and memorable one.
Prediction: Stars win in seven games.
Injury Notes: Marchment, Sprong, Walker
Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet reports Dallas Stars forward Mason Marchment will play in tonight’s Game 6 against the Seattle Kraken. Marchment was hit in the head by an inadvertent elbow from Kraken forward Alex Wennberg in Game 4. He missed most of that game and sat out Game 5 with the injury that resulted from that hit.
The Stars winger is playing the first year of a four-year contract that pays him $4.5MM per season. The physical winger stands at 6-foot-4 and 210 pounds and also adds some scoring punch to the Stars lineup. He put up 12 goals and 31 points in 68 regular season games with the Stars and added five points in ten playoff games before being injured. He will add some depth to the forward group that is looking to eliminate the Kraken in Game 6 and move on to the Western Conference Final.
- While the Kraken will look to stay alive tonight, they will have to do so without one of their depth forwards. According to Alison Lukan of NHL.com, Seattle will not have the services of Daniel Sprong tonight. Head Coach Dave Hakstol says although Sprong skated and is listed as day-to-day, he does not expect the 26-year-old winger to play again in this series. Sprong scored 21 goals and 46 points in 66 regular season games, but left Game 3 of this series with an upper-body injury and remains out of the lineup.
- Michael Russo of The Athletic reports Minnesota Wild forward Samuel Walker was injured at the World Championships and is out for the remainder of the tournament. Russo goes on to explain that Walker injured his shoulder in USA’s first game of the tournament and though he is already on his way home, he will be ready for training camp in September. Walker just wrapped up his first pro season, scoring two points in nine games for the Wild while piling up 27 goals and 48 points in 56 games for the Iowa Wild of the AHL.
Marchment Returns For Game Six
- Missing last night’s Game Five victory against the Seattle Kraken, Dallas Stars’ forward Mason Marchment will be available for Game Six according to Joey Hayden of Dallas Morning News. Although the team played well in his absence, Marchment would be a welcomed return as the Stars look to move on to the Western Conference Finals for the first time since the 2019-20 season. In 10 games played so far in this year’s playoffs, Marchment has scored three goals and provided two assists.
[SOURCE LINK]
Stars Notes: Marchment, Hakanpaa, Dellandrea
The Dallas Stars will be without a key forward as they take on the Seattle Kraken in Game 5 of their second round series. Mike Heika of NHL.com reports Mason Marchment will not play tonight in a pivotal game as one team will split the deadlock and take a 3-2 series lead. Marchment left Game 4 early after taking an elbow to the face from Kraken forward Alex Wennberg, which appeared to be accidental.
Marchment put up decent numbers for the Stars in his first season in Dallas, scoring 12 goals and 31 points in 68 regular season games as well as five points in ten postseason contests. The 6-foot-4 and 210 pound winger also brings a physical presence that teams are always searching for to find an edge in a lengthy playoff series.
- In better news for the Stars, Heika also reports defenseman Jani Hakanpaa will be back in the lineup. He missed Game 4 of this series with a lower-body injury but will be back on the ice as the Stars look to take a series lead. Hakanpaa has quietly earned a big role with the Stars, playing over 20 minutes per game in this postseason and taking care of business in the defensive end.
- Youngster Ty Dellandrea also missed Game 4 with what was called a sickness, but Heika also mentions the 22-year-old forward is returning to the ice for Game 5. He will slot in on the fourth line after his first full NHL season saw him score nine goals and 28 points in 82 games. Dellandrea has one point in nine playoff games this spring as well.
Stars Injury Notes: Marchment, Dellandrea, Hakanpaa
Dallas Stars radio analyst Bruce LeVine tweeted today that after a conversation with Stars head coach Pete DeBoer he put a 10% chance that Mason Marchment dresses tonight for game 5 against the Seattle Kraken. DeBoer said Marchment was a game time decision after the forward took part in the team’s gameday skate. However, LeVine also tweeted that Marchment and DeBoer had a conversation on the ice and the 27-year-old did not participate in the hard skating portions of the team’s practice.
Marchment left game 4 of this series after taking an elbow to the face from Kraken forward Alexander Wennberg. Dallas offered little information up after the game and just deemed his status as questionable for game 5. Should Marchment sit out tonight it would be a big blow for the Stars as Marchment has provided a little bit of everything for Dallas in these playoffs. In ten games the Uxbridge native has put up three goals and two assists while playing 14 minutes a night.
In other Dallas Stars injury notes:
- Bruce LeVine also speculated that forward Ty Dellandrea had a 90% chance of dressing for game 5 tonight. The young center was one of the first arrivals to the Stars practice and took part in it. DeBoer called Dellandrea a game time decision, but it appears he will dress after missing game 4 with what was described as a flu. Dellandrea has struggled in these playoffs with just a single goal in nine games while playing 15:31 a game. He has seen his faceoff numbers dip as well as he is winning just 38.7% of the draws he takes, a far cry from his 51% average in the regular season.
- LeVine put Jani Hakanpaa’s availability for tonight’s game at 50/50 after Pete DeBoer called the defenseman a gametime decision. The 31-year-old missed game 4 with what was described as a lower body injury. No information was released on how Hakanpaa suffered the injury but he appeared okay when he last dressed on Sunday night as he put up six hits, scored a goal, and played over 20 minutes. In these playoffs the 6’6” defender has a goal and an assist in nine games for the Stars.