The NHL playoffs are set to commence with a thrilling first round featuring matchups like Winnipeg versus St. Louis and Colorado against Dallas. The intensity is heightened by the influx of fresh talent, including standout rookies like Ivan Demidov from Montreal and Jimmy Snuggerud from St. Louis, who are keen to make their mark. Veterans like Ryan Suter of the Blues and Brent Burns of Carolina are also in pursuit of the elusive Stanley Cup, adding a layer of narrative depth to the playoffs.

Goaltending prowess will be on full display, particularly with Winnipeg's Connor Hellebuyck vying for a Vezina Trophy after an impressive season. However, his playoff history raises questions about his performance under pressure. Injury concerns are also significant, as teams like Dallas face challenges with Miro Heiskanen sidelined and other key players battling injuries.

Jamie Benn, center for the Dallas Stars, has been tantalizingly close to a milestone, scoring his 400th career goal only for it to be overturned not once, but twice in successive games. The streak began on Saturday against Utah, where a goal was wiped off due to goaltender interference. The frustration continued Monday night against the Detroit Red Wings when Benn appeared to score on a breakaway, but the goal was instead credited to teammate Lian Bichsel.

As it stands, Benn remains at 399 career goals, needing just one more to join Mike Modano as the second player in franchise history to reach the 400-goal mark. With the regular season nearing its end and Benn set to become an unrestricted free agent, this milestone adds an extra layer of urgency and importance to his upcoming performances.

Jamie Benn made history by scoring his 400th career goal, becoming only the second player in Dallas Stars history to reach this milestone, joining Mike Modano. The goal came during a game against the Detroit Red Wings, where Benn capitalized on a breakaway to bury one past goalie Cam Talbot.

Benn's achievement is monumental, as he has spent his entire career with the Stars. He is currently second on the franchise's all-time scoring list and continues to chase the 1,000-point mark, currently sitting at 955.

The Dallas Stars faced a disappointing defeat at home, extending their losing streak to five games as they fell 5-3 to the Utah Hockey Club. This loss officially eliminated the Stars from contention for the Central Division title after the Winnipeg Jets secured their spot by earning a crucial point in overtime against Chicago.

Despite the setback, there was a moment of celebration for Stars fans as Jamie Benn scored his 400th career goal, only to have the joy cut short by a goaltender interference call after a review. Coach Pete DeBoer expressed optimism about the team's performance, noting that several games were played well enough to win, and he believes the Stars can rebound in time for their playoff opener against the Colorado Avalanche next weekend.

Jamie Benn returned to the Dallas Stars lineup, boosting their offensive power as they are in a critical phase of the season. His presence is crucial for the Stars, who aim to secure a strong postseason position. Meanwhile, the Florida Panthers faced a setback without key players Aleksander Barkov and Matthew Tkachuk, who are both nursing upper-body injuries. Coach Paul Maurice has stated the importance of healing these players for a competitive playoff run, hinting at potential returns by the end of the week. The Panthers are strategically resting players like Sam Bennett and Sam Reinhart to ensure full recovery for the playoffs.

In Nashville, Spencer Stastney has made a timely return following an upper-body injury, while the Pittsburgh Penguins dealt with a loss as Philip Tomasino missed a game due to his own upper-body issue. The Washington Capitals are also adjusting to injuries, with Aliaksei Protas being ruled week-to-week with a lower-body injury, highlighting the injuries' toll as teams gear up for the end of the regular season and the playoffs ahead.