Sharp scores go-ahead goal as Stars beat Hurricanes
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) -- The Dallas Stars used a big third period to run away from the Carolina Hurricanes.
Patrick Sharp scored the go-ahead goal and Radek Faksa added his first of his career to help the Stars beat the Hurricanes 4-1 on Friday night.
Jason Demers added an empty-netter in the final second to cap Dallas' three-goal third period.
"We've been a lot better in the third periods this year than we were last year," Dallas coach Lindy Ruff said. "Some of it is patience, timely scoring, and we had a good look right at the beginning of the third period. I thought the third was a real good period."
The Western Conference-leading Stars have won six of their last seven games and are 6-2 on the road. Dallas has also won eight of the last 11 against Carolina and four of the last five meetings in Raleigh.
Ales Hemsky also scored and Colton Sceviour had two assists for the Stars. Kari Lehtonen finished with 30 saves.
"I think our defense was good today, and it's been great for a little while," said Lehtonen, who improved to 5-1. "I try to do my job back there and I think they make it easy on me. We're just trusting what we're doing and not trying to do too much. We just keep going forward and grinding and the skill of our defensemen usually takes over."
Jordan Staal scored for Carolina and Eddie Lack stopped 25 shots. Staal's goal marked the sixth time he had scored on an assist from brother Eric. Jordan has assisted Eric nine times.
Only one penalty was called, that against Carolina's Ron Hainsey for a high stick in the first period.
"It's a rarity that you don't get a power play, but it happens," Carolina coach Bill Peters said. "I thought once we got a goal we were fine. The third was even until that point where we gave up two in a row."
The Stars took the lead with 8:45 left as Sharp beat Lack stick-side on a rush with Tyler Seguin on the centering pass.
And it went to 3-1 about 2 minutes later as Faksa scored on a rebound with Sceviour on the primary assist.
The first period ended in a scoreless tie, with the Stars outshooting Carolina 12-6.
Jordan Staal put Carolina ahead at 3:41 of the second, knocking in a backhander from the low slot that clipped Lehtonen's right skate before wobbling across the line. The assist came from his brother Eric, who slid the puck to Jordan from the right circle.
Dallas tied it at 9:46 when Hemsky scored on a tough-angle goal from the left side into an open net. Lack was on his backside to the left of the goal after he and Sceviour had gotten tangled up as Sceviour drove the net and hit the post with the puck. Carolina's video challenge was denied.
"Hemmer got the puck to me in tight, I tried to make a move to my backhand there," Sceviour said. "Unfortunately it hit the post, but Hemmer was there for the rebound. I thought I did all I could to get out of (Lack's) way after making my move, so I thought it was good."
NOTES: Carolina hosts Ottawa on Saturday night. ... Dallas visits Detroit on Sunday before returning home against Toronto on Tuesday night. ... C Brad Malone and D Michal Jordan were healthy scratches for Carolina. ... Dallas LW Antoine Roussel was out with an upper-body injury, while D Patrik Nemeth and D Jamie Oleksiak were healthy scratches. ... The return match is on Dec. 8 in Dallas.
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