There is only one game left in the season, the season finale against the Nashville Predators tonight, but the Dallas Stars have scratched Tyler Seguin for being late to practice on Friday.
With the Dallas Stars playoff hopes already gone the absence of Seguin could hurt Jamie Benn as he hunts down the points lead in the NHL. He is one point behind the joint leaders, Sidney Crosby and John Tavares. He needs a big game tonight to claim the Art Ross Trophy; thats a lot harder with Tyler Seguin absent from the lineup.
At morning skate he remained skating late, a typical indiction that he would be a healthy scratch. While speculation ruled for several minutes the scratch was quickly confirmed by Mark Stepneski.
Lindy Ruff said Tyler Seguin won’t play tonight for being late to practice yesterday.
— Mark Stepneski (@StarsInsideEdge) April 11, 2015
This isn’t the first time that the Dallas Stars have held out a player for discipline issues; Cody Eakin was held out earlier in the season.
Alex Goligoski was also not on the ice for the Dallas Stars, he hadn’t practiced on Friday due to an injury. He’s probably out of the lineup for this evening’s game.
According to Mark Stepneski the Stars lines in practice were:
Benn-Eakin-Eaves
Nichushkin-Spezza-Hemsky
Roussel-Fiddler-Garbutt
Moen-Horcoff-Sceviour
Jokipakka-Daley
Nemeth-Klingberg
Benn-Demers
Enroth
On the Nashville Predators side of things there were several scratches in preparation for the post season. Shea Weber, Roman Josi, Cody Franson and Mike Fisher are out tonight.