Game day: Toronto Maple Leafs at Dallas Stars

AMERICAN AIRLINES CENTER

FACEOFF: 7:30 p.m. TV: Sportsnet RADIO: Sportsnet 590 The FAN

NEED TO KNOW

How’s he Benn? Jamie Benn has his first multi-goal game since Nov. 19 when he scored a pair, including the overtime winner, in a 3-2 decision over Tampa Bay on Monday. “Jamie has been doing a lot of things for this team that doesn’t necessarily get the recognition night in and night out: big hits, fighting guys, he’s been doing a lot of good things,” Dallas goalie Ben Bishop told NHL.com. “It’s nice to see him get rewarded.” Benn’s 14 goals are second on the Stars. His 25 points are third.

Looking for offence: Dallas (28-17-4) sits in a playoff spot despite an offence scoring just 2.57 goals a game, 28th in the league. The Stars’ defence, which has allowed just 2.45 goals against a game, is No. 1. Coach Rick Bowness told the Dallas Morning News he and his staff looked at a lot of video over the break to try to find ways to score more. “We looked at a lot of games, what we did well offensively, where we have to be better offensively. I gave all of the coaches an assignment,” Bowness said. “We’re a hardworking team, we’re a good defensive team, and we can win games. But it gets very frustrating when you lose games 2-1.”

Roster notes: The Stars lost two players to injury Monday. Forward Roope Hintz left the game after sustaining an upperbody injury during his first shift. Stars forward Andrew Cogliano left the game at 13:41 of the second period with a lowerbody injury. Both were listed as day to day … Defenceman Stephen Johns played his second game since returning from almost a two-year absence due to post-traumatic headaches.

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