NHL Hands Down Tough Discipline On Stars' Jamie Benn

As if the Dallas Stars weren't already in a big enough hole. Down 3-0 to the Vegas Golden Knights in the Western Conference Final, the Stars will have to play Game 4 (and Game 5 if necessary) without star forward Jamie Benn. The NHL's Department of Player Safety has slapped Benn with a two-game suspension.

Dallas’ Jamie Benn has been suspended for two games for Cross-checking against Vegas’ Mark Stone. https://t.co/YBf8qihuCh
— NHL Player Safety (@NHLPlayerSafety) May 24, 2023

The suspension comes for Benn's cross-check on the Vegas Golden Knights' Mark Stone. "With Stone on the ice in front of him, Benn puts both hands on his stick, drops to his knees and drives his stick into the head and neck area of Stone with force," said the DoPS. "This is simply an unnecessarily dangerous decision by Benn and is delivered with sufficient force and intent to merit supplemental discipline."

Benn's three previous disciplinary fines also seem to have played into the decision.

“The game happens fast, emotions are high. Obviously I would have liked to not fall on him and use my stick as a landing point.”

Jamie Benn on his cross-checking penalty that led to his ejection during Game 3. pic.twitter.com/hjZkHrpRga
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) May 24, 2023