Defining Play: Jamie Benn ties it with hard work and a bit of luck

Alexander Radulov was the big story in Saturday’s 4-2 win for the Dallas Stars, and deservedly so.

The Russian forward scored twice in the final three minutes, including the game-winning goal, helping the Stars to a key Central Division win.

But the Stars aren’t in that position without the work of their captain, Jamie Benn, who scored with 4:50 remaining in the game to tie the game at 2-2.

It was a goal that was equal parts hard work and luck for the Stars.

The hard work starts in the corner, where Benn is able to force a turnover and steals the puck from Joel Edmundson and starts to circle with a wraparound in mind. At the same time Tyler Seguin is working hard in front of the net, he’s annoying a Blues defenseman, and he’s adding a secondary element that goalie Jake Allen has to worry about.

Seguin’s work in front of the net leads to a mishap for the Blues, who have a defenseman and Allen get their feet tangle up on the right side of the crease. Allen takes a tumble, and is out of position as Benn circles the net.

Benn could have shot right away, but takes an extra half second to work his way around the defender in front of the net and patiently lifts the poke over Allen for the game-tying goal.

“We rimmed the puck in and I tried to put some pressure on them,” Benn said after the game. “Found a way to get it back and kind of threw it at the net. It was pretty lucky to go in. I’m not sure what was happening in front, but it found a way and we’ll take it.”