Benn cross-checks Nichushkin in the face in Game 7.

Dallas Stars captain Jamie Benn is lucky he got off so easily on this one.

On Saturday night, Benn and the Stars faced off against the Colorado Avalanche in what will be their final meeting this season, a 7th and deciding game in their opening round series in the 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs.

Benn would however put his team in a hole early in the game when he was called for a high-sticking penalty after catching Avalanche forward Valeri Nichushkin up high and in the face. The incident would result in Nichushkin leaking on the ice and as a result the Avalanche received a big power play opportunity with Benn being awarded a double minor.

The replay however would show that this was not merely a case of high-sticking but rather a deliberate and rather blatant cross-check to the face of Nichushkin who was understandably upset after the incident. A cross-check to the face, especially one that drew crimson, could have easily resulted in a much stiffer penalty for both Benn and the Stars.

Benn has never been a stranger to crossing the line at inopportune times for his team but, thankfully for both Benn and the Stars, they got off easy in this particular situation.

Here is a look at the video replay: