The Dallas Stars extended their red-hot start to the NHL season with a dominant 5-2 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes on Sunday to extend their lead in the Pacific Division.
Jamie Benn scored goals in the first and second periods to help establish a 5-1 advantage as the Stars (10-3-0) cruised to their third straight victory and ninth in 11 games.
Dallas, who missed out on the playoffs for a franchise worst-tying third consecutive season in 2010-2011, are enjoying their finest start to a season since the 2006-2007 campaign and handed Carolina their third loss in four games.
Photo: AFP
“Last year they missed the playoffs by one point, so this year they’ve got something to prove,” Stars first-year coach Glen Gulutzan said. “So for me as a new coach, it’s been easy going into that locker room when you’ve got 20 hungry guys.”
The Stars raced out of the gate with first period goals from Eric Nystrom, Stephane Robidas and Benn, before Michael Ryder and Benn put the game out of reach with goals in the second.
Goaltender Kari Lehtonen made 30 saves to improve to 10-1-0 on the season and Dallas started their four-game road trip on a positive note.
Chad Larose and Tuomo Ruutu scored for Carolina (5-6-3), who sit near the bottom of the Southeast Division.
Goaltender Cam Ward’s struggles continued as he allowed four goals before being pulled in favor of Brian Boucher. Ward has given up nine goals in his past four-plus periods of play.
Dallas winger Loui Eriksson added three assists as the Stars continue to build chemistry during their winning ways.
“We’re getting to know each other better and better as the games go on,” said Eriksson, who has 15 points in 13 games. “[Benn is] such a good player to play with.”
Lightning 4, Panthers 3
In Sunrise, Florida, Dominic Moore scored the shootout winner to lift the Tampa Bay Lightning to a win over the Florida Panthers.
Ryan Malone, Steven Stamkos and Teddy Purcell also scored for the Lightning. Dwayne Roloson stopped all 29 shots he faced after coming in late in the first period in relief of Mathieu Garon.
Brian Campbell, Tomas Kopecky and Mike Santorelli scored goals for the Panthers, who squandered a 3-0 lead and suffered their third straight shootout loss, all at home. Jose Theodore made 34 saves for Florida.
Rangers 3, Jets 0
In New York, Marian Gaborik scored on an odd-man rush and into an empty net in the third period, while Derek Stepan had a goal and an assist to help New York beat Winnipeg.
Martin Biron stopped 23 shots for his first shutout in more than two years, improving to 3-0 in his fourth appearance of the season.
The Rangers won their fourth straight despite another inefficient performance by the power play. The Jets still are 3-2-1 on a seven-game road trip.
For Gaborik’s second goal, he backhanded the puck up and over Zach Bogosian from the blue line into the empty net.
Canucks 6, Blackhawks 2
In Chicago, Henrik Sedin had a goal and three assists as Vancouver converted five of six power plays in a win over Chicago.
David Booth, Aaron Rome, Daniel Sedin and Dan Hamhuis each added power-play goals, while Jannik Hansen had Vancouver’s only even-strength score as the Canucks (7-7-1) handed the Blackhawks their first regulation home loss.
Michael Frolik and Marcus Kruger scored for Chicago (8-3-3), who went 0 for 5 on the power play and have scored just once in their past 26 chances.
Vancouver’s Roberto Luongo made 38 saves to help the Canucks end a two-game slide.
Flames 2, Avalanche 1
In Denver, Colorado, Miikka Kiprusoff stopped 32 shots, while Mark Giordano and Curtis Glencross each had a goal as Calgary beat Colorado.
Calgary’s Alex Tanguay and Scott Hannan each had an assist against their old team.
Semyon Varlamov had 21 saves and Paul Stastny scored the lone goal for the Avalanche, who fell to 1-5 on home ice. They have scored just eight goals in those six home games.
The Flames got the tiebreaking goal on a power play early in the second period. With Milan Hejduk off for tripping, Tanguay threw a shot to the front of the net. The puck bounced off Glencross and by Varlamov to make it 2-1. It was Glencross’ fourth goal.
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