Stars Lose To Hurricanes

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RALEIGH, N.C. — Carolina defensemen Justin Faulk and John-Michael Liles scored during a three-goal outburst early in the second period, and goalie Anton Khudobin stopped 33 shots as the Hurricanes defeated the Dallas Stars 4-1 Thursday night.

The Stars (37-28-11) was seeking a season-best fourth straight victory. They remain tied with the Phoenix Coyotes for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference with 10 days left in the regular season.

Dallas, which outscored its previous three opponents 16-5, fell behind as the Hurricanes chased goalie Kari Lehtonen midway through the second after goals from center Eric Staal and the two defensemen in a span of 3:36.

The Hurricanes (34-32-11) improved to 3-0-2 over their past five games to remain mathematically alive in the Eastern Conference playoff chase with five games remaining. Center Riley Nash sealed it for Carolina, scoring his 10th of the season with 12:20 left.

Liles came into the game with six points in 29 games since being

acquired Jan. 1 from the Toronto Maple Leafs for defenseman Tim Gleason. He recorded his first multi-point game with the Hurricanes, notching a goal and two assists to match a career high dating to 2011 when he played for the Colorado Avalanche.

Carolina’s three-goal second started with a fluke score by Staal, who notched his 19th of the season. A shot from Liles ricocheted off the skate of Staal and high into the air. Lehtonen couldn’t find the puck, and it bounced into the net.

Dallas defenseman Patrik Nemeth, playing in his second NHL game, then took two minor penalties (delay of game and hooking) over a span of 3 1/2 minutes, leading to the power-play goals by Faulk and Liles.

Stars center Tyler Seguin broke down the left wing with 10:16 left in the second to record his 34th of the season and 9th in the last 14 games, pulling Dallas within two goals. The Stars also started the third with a power-play. But Khudobin closed the door, allowing three goals or fewer for the 32nd time in 33 games.

Lehtonen stopped 13 of 16 shots before he was replaced by Tim Thomas, who stopped 15 of 16 shots.