Canadiens vs. Stars features first-ever battle between Benn brothers

They’ve never faced each other at any level before, but with the Habs set to host the Stars, both Jordie and Jamie Benn are looking forward to the first ever battle of Benn brothers.

Jordie Benn couldn’t have foreseen this.

The 29-year-old defenceman didn’t have any inclination that the Dallas Stars would trade him back on Feb. 28, and in the moments after general manager Jim Nill rang to inform him that he was going to the Montreal Canadiens, Benn certainly hadn’t had the time to consider that the schedule would pit him against his former team exactly one month later.

"It’ll obviously be a little different," said Benn Monday. "But it’s not the first time somebody’s been traded and had to play against their old team right away."

What will make the occasion unique is the fact that this will be the first time Benn and his younger brother Jamie—who is the captain of the Stars—have ever played against each other.

"We’ve only ever played together," said Jordie on Monday. "We’re definitely looking forward to it."

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Things have changed considerably for the undrafted older brother, whose trade to Montreal thrust him out of Jamie’s shadow and into the spotlight for the first time in his NHL career.

"A lot of people say that the only reason I ever made it was because of [Jamie]," said Jordie. "I think I’ve done enough hard work in my life to prove to people that I’m an NHL hockey player."

He had been used mostly as a depth defender in Dallas, largely depended on for blocking shots and killing penalties. Though his role hasn’t changed much in Montreal, Jordie has been a key cog in the Canadiens’ success of late, bringing stability to the defence, providing some unheralded puck-moving ability and offence, and helping the penalty kill become one of the NHL’s best since his arrival.

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He’s certainly impressed Jamie, who’s been spending his off-nights watching the Canadiens.

"I’m happy for him," said the former Art Ross Trophy winner who has 67 points in 70 games this season. "Montreal is a top-notch organization and they’ve got a great team. I’m glad he’s fitting in well here. He’s enjoying it a lot, too."

Neither brother offered a guess on where their parents’ allegiances might lie for the game.

"My mom will probably be a nervous wreck," said Jordie. "She probably doesn’t know who to cheer for, but I guess it depends on who scores. She’ll cheer every time the puck goes in the net."

Jordie did offer a word of caution about the opposition.

"They’re a dangerous team," he said. He would know after having played 302 games—including 58 this season—in a Stars uniform.

Though the Stars are set for their first game after being mathematically eliminated from the playoffs, they’ve been formidable of late.

Goaltender Kari Lehtonen has been a driving force in their success, earning the NHL’s recognition as last week’s second star after putting up a .959 save percentage and a 3-0-1 record.

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Meanwhile the Canadiens have gone 11-5-1 since Claude Julien replaced Michel Therrien as head coach, and their win against the Ottawa Senators on Saturday gave them a three-point lead for first place in the Atlantic Division.

Canadiens backup Al Montoya, who is 8-6-4 with a .912 save percentage this season, was scheduled to start against Dallas, but he suffered a lower-body injury at Tuesday’s morning skate. As a result, Carey Price will get the nod with Zachary Fucale serving as emergency backup.

This will be the fourth game of Montreal’s five-game home stand before it takes to the road to play four of its five games on the schedule in April.

"We’re working on finding our best game ahead of the playoffs," said Canadiens forward Brendan Gallagher. "It doesn’t matter who our opponent is, we can’t sit back."

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