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Stars’ leader Jamie Benn caps off impressive Western Conference Final with a momentum-changing goal

Benn leads all Stars forwards with 18 points in 21 playoff games.

Stars interim coach Rick Bowness usually talks to captain Jamie Benn in the morning. But on Monday, he knew better.

“When he’s dialed in like that, you can be talking to him and he’s unlikely to hear you, so I just got to leave him alone,” Bowness said. “But he’s dialed in and he’s a great leader, and again, everybody that goes after him in the regular season — points, points, points — he does so many things to help this team get in the playoffs, and clearly he’s doing so many things to keep us moving forward.”

Benn was in the zone for the Stars during the Western Conference Final, complete with a momentum-changing goal in the third period of Monday’s 3-2 overtime win in Game 5. Overall against the Golden Knights, Benn scored three goals and had two assists.

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He leads all Stars forwards with 18 points in 21 playoff games.

“I didn’t look him dead in the eye, but I’ve seen those eyes that you’re probably talking about,” Tyler Seguin said. “He’s our captain and leader for a reason. He knows what to do in big moments, and he seems to be doing it over and over again. ... We wouldn’t be here if he didn’t start that play today.”

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Benn’s performance has underscored just how many players have stood out for the Stars this postseason.

Miro Heiskanen leads the team in points. Joe Pavelski leads the team in goals. Denis Gurianov has ended two series. Joel Kiviranta owns some of the biggest goals in franchise history. Anton Khudobin has stolen games when the Stars have needed him to. Alexander Radulov has been clutch. John Klingberg has been an engine on the back end.

No touching: Benn did not touch the Clarence S. Campbell Bowl, the trophy given to the Western Conference champions. Instead, it remained on the table after presented by NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly.

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Superstition in hockey dictates that players don’t touch the Campbell Bowl, instead saving their celebration for the Stanley Cup. History says that it really doesn’t matter. Derian Hatcher touched the trophy in both 1999 and 2000, and the Stars went 1-1 in the Stanley Cup Final.

Since 1997, of the 22 Stanley Cup winners, 11 have touched either the Campbell Bowl or the Prince of Wales Trophy in the Eastern Conference.

Stars advance to Stanley Cup Final!

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