The Dallas Stars kept their slim playoff hopes alive on Monday with a 4-3 victory over Buffalo, but captain Jamie Benn suffered an undisclosed injury in the process, per the team’s website. Benn missed Tuesday’s practice as a result and is questionable for Wednesday’s game in Calgary.
“Jamie is a little bit of a concern,” said Stars coach Lindy Ruff. “He was hurting late in the game and he was sore today. We’ll see.”
Defenseman Trevor Daley (knee) didn’t join the Stars for their practice on Tuesday either, but he’s skating and will travel with the squad for their four-game road trip. Daley, who has missed nine straight games, is expected to play before Dallas heads home.
The Stars might also get 20-year-old forward Valeri Nichushkin (hip surgery) back in the near future too, but first he’ll report to AHL Texas for a conditioning stint. The plan is for Nichushkin to take part in three minor league contests, starting with Friday’s game.
Dallas is eight points behind Winnipeg in the Wild Card race with just nine contests left. It would take a miraculous run for the Stars to make the playoffs now, but they’ve certainly been doing their best lately with a 8-2-0 run.