With the playoffs in sight, the Dallas Stars are on a mission, and Coach Pete DeBoer acknowledged the need for a strong finish to clinch the Central Division title. After a shaky start in a recent game against the Nashville Predators, the Stars rallied for a decisive 5-1 victory, marking their seventh consecutive win. The standout player was goalie Jake Oettinger, who made critical saves to keep the Stars in contention.

Oettinger was pivotal, stopping 28 of 29 shots, showcasing his elite form, especially with 17 saves in the first period alone. The Stars' offense came alive in the second half of the game, with key contributions from Mikael Granlund and Mason Marchment among others. With Jamie Benn out due to injury, the team demonstrated resilience and depth, essential traits for a championship run.

Jamie Benn, the Dallas Stars captain, has been held at 399 career goals for nearly a month, recently taking a game off against the Nashville Predators for maintenance, as stated by coach Pete DeBoer. At 35 years old, after a remarkable streak of 371 consecutive games, Benn reached this milestone with his 399th goal against the Edmonton Oilers on March 8. This season, he has contributed significantly with 16 goals and 29 assists across 74 games, showcasing his enduring skill and value to the team.

Dallas Stars captain Jamie Benn will miss a crucial game against the Nashville Predators due to maintenance, interrupting his impressive streak of 371 consecutive games played since the 2020-21 season. This absence marks the first time he has missed a regular-season game since the NHL's COVID-19 protocols in December 2021. Benn remains stuck at 399 career goals, aiming for milestone number 400, which will have to wait as he has not scored since March 8 against Edmonton.

Benn's current goal tally leaves him just 158 goals shy of franchise leader Mike Modano, who holds 557 goals. As the Stars look to maintain momentum in the playoffs, Benn's experience and leadership will be missed during this pivotal time.

As the NHL gears up for an action-packed Thursday night with nine games scheduled, the focus sharpens on key matchups in the Western Conference. The Nashville Predators face the Dallas Stars at 8 p.m. ET, where the Predators, eliminated from playoff contention, are reeling from a four-game losing streak. Meanwhile, the Stars boast a strong position in the Central Division, aiming for a President's Trophy bid.

Later, the Los Angeles Kings take on the Utah Hockey Club at 9 p.m. ET, looking to solidify their playoff position after back-to-back wins. Lastly, the Winnipeg Jets, currently leading the NHL standings, hope to break a losing streak against the Vegas Golden Knights at 10 p.m. ET, who have had the upper hand in their recent encounters. With significant playoff implications on the line, these games promise thrilling performances and strategic betting opportunities.

Colorado Avalanche forward Gabriel Landeskog has ramped up his skating, fostering optimism about his recovery, though no specific timeline is available yet. Teammate Jonathan Drouin exited the latest game early due to a lower-body injury. Meanwhile, Dallas Stars defenseman Miro Heiskanen approaches two months post-knee surgery, eyeing a return possibly in the first round of the playoffs if the Stars face the Avalanche. In Minnesota, Kirill Kaprizov is traveling but won’t play until at least the team's next practice. San Jose Sharks' Shakir Mukhamadullin suffered a hit that raised concerns about his availability, while Filip Chytil of the Vancouver Canucks is dealing with concussion symptoms, casting doubt on his return this season.