One player holds the Dallas Stars’ fate in his hands

February is nearly upon us, and the Dallas Stars continue to find themselves in first place in the Central Division.

I’m not sure that many people expected to see Dallas in this position at any point this year, especially now that the NHL season is over halfway complete. Nevertheless, the Stars have been one of the best teams in the Western Conference all season.

While unexpected, this shouldn’t come as a total surprise, as this team has consistently been one that is in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. What is a little more surprising, though, is the bounce-back season that captain Jamie Benn has been enjoying.

Jamie Benn will need to be great if the Stars want to win in the playoffs.

In 50 games this season, the 2015 Art Ross Trophy winner has 19 goals and 24 assists for 43 points. Last season, Benn played in all 82 games for the Stars and came away with only 46 points (18 goals and 28 assists).

The two seasons prior to that, although impacted by COVID-19, saw the Dallas captain fail to reach 40 points.

For many years, with the team’s 2020 run to the Stanley Cup Final being the exception, the Stars have been unable to sustain enough offense to support a stellar defense. Jamie Benn has been a big part of those shortcomings, but his rebound this season could give fans hope.

It seems at this point as though Dallas will be around in the spring when the playoffs begin. That’s great, but after years of being in contention, this organization wants to do more than simply qualify for the postseason.

If the Stars are going to make any kind of legitimate run at the Cup in 2023, Benn is going to have to be the catalyst. It’s no coincidence that his team’s offense has been more effective in the season that he himself has been more productive.

To me, the only winning formula for the Stars in the playoffs is the offense going through the captain. If Jamie Benn can be productive in the postseason, Dallas will be dangerous. If not, it’ll be a quick exit in the Lone Star State.