Difficult way for the Dallas Stars to end 2016.
Not only did they lose to the Florida Panthers by a score of 3-1 following a dreadful first period -- the seemingly ageless Jaromir Jagr had a two-point night -- but Stars captain Jamie Benn was hurt during the second period after a fall into the boards, and now there is concern for about his status, despite the fact he remained in the game.
Benn could be seen in obvious pain as he gets up from the boards and then goes to the front of the net, assisting on the Patrick Eaves goal. The celebration from Benn, however, was subdued.
“He got a little dinged up. We’ll have to see where he’s at the next couple of days,” said Stars coach Lindy Ruff. “He wanted to finish the game. I don’t know if that was the smartest decision or not. Hopefully we didn’t create a bigger problem.”
The Stars’ loss combined with the Kings’ win on Saturday bumps Dallas out of the final Wild Card spot in the West for right now.
It’s been a miserable season so far for injuries in Dallas and having Benn out for any amount of time would be a significant loss for the Stars, who only just got Patrick Sharp back in the lineup from a concussion.
The Stars don’t play again until Wednesday, when they host the Montreal Canadiens.