The gang's all here: Benn-Seguin-Radulov line reunites against Blues

Stars (1-1-2, 4 points) vs. Blues (3-2-0, 6 points)

Dallas is expected to deploy the line of Jamie Benn-Tyler Seguin-Alexander Radulov Tuesday against St. Louis at American Airlines Center. That line didn't play at all last season because Seguin (hip) and Radulov (core) were out. And the fact they were out created the opportunity to play Benn more at center, a move that's expected to continue this season.
But, yeah, trotting out the top line isn't a bad option whenever you have a chance.
"Let's not forget that's been a very good line for this organization for a long time," Stars head coach Rick Bowness said.
In 2018-19, the trio combined for 89 goals and was a combined plus-53. They've seen a lot of shuffling because of injuries and COVID, but they also can still be quite effective.
"They look great, pretty sharp out there," Benn said of Seguin and Radulov returning from injuries. "We're going to try to build more confidence and keep moving forward. We've played together for a few years now, so we kind of know what's going to happen before the play happens, which is kind of nice."

Bowness said the plan still is to get Benn a lot of time at center. He's been on the third line with Denis Gurianov and an assortment of left wings. However, because the Stars could be trying to use three skilled lines, Bowness wants to make sure the captain is getting enough time on ice.
"The most important thing regardless of his position is his minutes," Bowness said. "We've got to make sure those minutes are 16 and above, so if I think in the course of a game that he's not going to get enough, then we've got to make sure the minutes are up there."
Bowness said he's already seen the chemistry between Benn and Seguin in preseason, and expects to see more tonight.
"We put them out 4-on-4 the other night, and Jamie and Seggy scored right away," Bowness said. "There's chemistry there that you can't deny. It's there."

What to watch

Bowness was asked right off the bat Tuesday morning, "As far as the goaltending, do you feel you have more clarity now than you did at the start of the preseason?"
His answer: "No."
That's not surprising because the Stars are trying to juggle four goalies this season, but it's intriguing because it might be the most important question the team is facing.

Ben Bishop missed all of last season and still is recovering from knee surgery. Anton Khudobin battled injuries and illness last season and is hoping to get back to the form that helped the Stars get to the 2020 Stanley Cup Final. Jake Oettinger seems destined to play much of the season in the AHL but is trying to change some minds. And Braden Holtby is on a one-year deal after getting bought out by the Canucks and is hoping to regain the form that allowed him to win a Stanley Cup and Vezina Trophy with the Washington Capitals.
Holtby will get the full game Tuesday against the Blues, and that could help clarify the Stars' situation in net. Holtby played two periods against St. Louis to open the preseason and allowed one goal.
"I really liked his reads, his confidence his poise in the net," Bowness said. "He handles the puck really well, which helps our defense a lot."
Holtby is in an interesting place at age 32. He wasn't offered a contract extension by the Capitals and signed a two-year deal with the Canucks that averaged $4.3 million in 2020. After posting a 7-11-3 record with an .889 save percentage, the Canucks bought him out and allowed him to test free agency again. So, the Stars are trying to help him find his game again.
Bowness said he's liked Holtby's attitude and believes goalie coach Jeff Reese will be able to get the best out of him.
"I see the motivation," Bowness said. "I have full confidence in Jeff Reese. He's watched a lot of tape on the last three years, and he's confident he'll get him back. Braden Holtby is a true pro. He's here early, he works his butt of on the ice, he's one of those guys that guys love playing in front of because of that attitude. He's been exceptional, his work habits and his professionalism."
The guess is Holtby and Khudobin will rotate in the NHL while Oettinger plays in the AHL. Bishop, who last played in the 2020 playoffs, has been working out but isn't expected to play a preseason game.
"We had a scrimmage last week and that was the best he's looked," Bowness said of Bishop's play. "He read the play really well. He's got a good hockey mind, he sees the play really well, his anticipation is exceptional. He reads it, he sees what's coming and he's there waiting. And when you see that, he's on top of it. That scrimmage was the best I've seen him."
Because they added Holtby, the Stars would likely have to make some moves to clear space for Bishop's $4.9 million cap hit, so that could also affect the decision-making.

Lineup updates

In addition to the top line, the Stars have some interesting combinations tonight. Jacob Peterson will play on a line with Radek Faksa and Denis Gurianov, while Joel Kiviranta will play beside Luke Glendening and Blake Comeau.
That's important because decisions are still being made. Peterson, the 22-year-old fifth-round draft pick who came over from Sweden this year, has really impressed and might have a chance to make the opening night roster. He's played on a line with Seguin and Radulov at times, so he really could slide around the lineup. If the Stars really do want to noodle around with Benn, Peterson could be the perfect player to swap lines with. Tonight might be a good experiment in how that would look.

"He's looked very good," Bowness said of Peterson. "He's fitting in with whoever he's playing with. Guys love playing with him because he's got such good hockey sense. He kills penalties, he's good on the power play. We want to keep looking at him, but he's put himself in a serious position to make the hockey club. He's been that good."
Likewise, if Peterson gains a spot on the second line, then the coaches might slide Kiviranta to the fourth line, so playing him beside Glendening and Comeau is a nice experiment.
Roope Hintz skated on a "fifth" line with Joe Pavelski and Michael Raffl in the morning. The Stars are being cautious with Hintz after offseason surgery, but Bowness said the dynamic center will hopefully play one of the two remaining preseason games.

Numbers

263

Defenseman Alex Petrovic has played 263 NHL games, mostly with the Florida Panthers. The big (6-4, 216) righty from Edmonton might be a significant player when it comes to defensive depth, especially if Jani Hakanpää (broken pinkie) isn't ready to start the season.

3

Seguin has three points (one goal, two assists) and is plus-2 in two preseason games. He's returning healthy this year after playing just three games last season.

3

Mavrik Bourque is just 19, so he's probably headed back to junior hockey soon. Still, the 2020 first-round pick has made the most of his time in Dallas with three assists in three preseason games.

He said it

"I think it's just a hockey player's mentality. We're not dead, so we might as well be out there." -- Benn on why hockey players seem to play through injuries
This story was not subject to the approval of the National Hockey League or Dallas Stars Hockey Club.
Mike Heikais a Senior Staff Writer for DallasStars.com and has covered the Stars since 1994. Follow him on Twitter @MikeHeika, and listen to his podcast.