THERE’S A NEW SHERIFF IN TOWN

JAMIE BENN IS IN HIS FIRST YEAR AS captain of the Dallas Stars and as such, he’s learning lessons about the subtleties of the role. For example: “You gotta talk after games when you don’t really want to,” he said. Being ornery after a loss is no black mark on Benn’s leadership qualities. After all, most fans hope players take setbacks to heart. Though he’s just 24 years old, Benn has become the cornerstone of a Dallas team finding its footing in a downright diabolical Western Conference. He and linemate Tyler Seguin lead the Stars in offense by a country mile and no Dallas forward had thrown more hits than the Victoria, B.C. native, either. “He has a great night every night,” said teammate and center Shawn Horcoff. “If he can’t find…

HANZAL THE REEL THING IN PHOENIX

HIS OFF-SEASON OASIS IS ANY fishable body of water, and usually Martin Hanzal doesn’t have to stray far from his hometown in Pisek, Czech Republic, to satisfy his twice-a-week hobby. But that hasn’t stopped him from canvassing Europe for new spots like he did this past summer, when he spent two weeks with his fishing rod in Norway. “I like the quiet time there,” Hanzal said. “That’s awesome when you sit by the river by yourself, nobody around you. You just listen to the birds, nature. It’s just something I really like.” Hanzal’s approach on the ice, however, isn’t as tranquil. At 6-foot-6, he’s one of the NHL’s more rugged centers and has been rewarded this season more than any other in his career for engaging in pesky board battles and…

PUCKPOLL

As the Calendar turns, who’s the best bet to win the Stanley Cup?

OPENING FACEOFF