Game Recap

DALLAS 5, NASHVILLE 1 DALLAS (AP) - The Dallas Stars made their last regular-season game in Reunion Arena a memorable one. Brett Hull and Mike Modano scored power-play goals as Dallas beat the Nashville Predators 5-1, upping the Stars' unbeaten streak to a season-best 12 games and setting an NHL record for third-period dominance. This was the 22nd straight game in which Dallas was not outscored in the third period, breaking the mark held by Winnipeg in 1989-90 and Quebec in 1980-81. The Stars are 35-0-1-1 when leading after two periods and haven't lost in a league-best 55 such games dating to last season. "Everybody calls us old, but we seem to be outscoring everybody in the third," captain Derian Hatcher said. "It says something." Nashville goaltender Tomas Vokoun is a believer. "They're one of the toughest in the league to come back on," he said. "They play great defense and don't give up much. They play a very disciplined game." They're especially tough at Reunion, the building they've called home since moving from Minnesota in 1993-94. Dallas closed the book at 172-94-45, a winning percentage of over .625. "There were some goosebumps tonight," said Jamie Langenbrunner, who arrived in the second season. The Stars' recent hot streak, which included clinching a fifth straight division title, has bolstered their postseason hopes. "With everyone pulling together right now, we're playing consistent hockey," Hatcher said. "We've battled through our inconsistencies and we're really rolling." Defense and goaltending are the main reasons for Dallas' success. The Stars killed seven power plays, including four in the final period. They had multiple shorthanded chances and Langenbrunner finally cashed one in when the Predators had pulled Vokoun, giving Dallas a 6-on-4 advantage. The goals by Hull and Modano each came 13 seconds into power plays, Dallas' first two of the night. They came against a Nashville penalty-killing unit that came into the game having allowed the fourth-fewest goals in the league, 47. "I can't believe they don't have the best power-play in the league," Nashville's Greg Johnson said. "They've all got great shots, they spread you out and they're just tough to defend." The Predators, who had won two straight and 4-of-5, got within 2-1 on Scott Walker's 25th goal, but Brad Lukowich, Langenbrunner and Roman Lyashenko scored in the third period. DALLAS STARS 5, Nashville Predators 1 1ST 2ND 3RD FINAL --- --- --- ----- Nashville 0 1 0 1 Dallas 1 1 3 5 FIRST PERIOD - SCORING: 1, Dallas, Hull 39 (Zubov, Sydor), 7:00 (pp). PENALTIES: Hartnell, Nas (high-sticking), 6:47; Matvichuk, Dal (closing hand on puck), 11:48. SECOND PERIOD - SCORING: 2, Dallas, Modano 31 (Hull, Zubov), 1:35 (pp). 3, Nashville, Walker 25 (Hulse, Legwand), 4:37. PENALTIES: Timonen, Nas (holding), 1:10; Langenbrunner, Dal (interference), 10:10; Morrow, Dal (high-sticking), 12:35; Johnson, Nas (goalie interference), 17:48. THIRD PERIOD - SCORING: 4, Dallas, Lukowich 4 (Donato, Van Allen), 13:07. 5, Dallas, Lagenbrunner 12 (Modano, Matvichuk), 18:23 (en). 6, Dallas, Lyashenko 6 (Hogue), 19:42. PENALTIES: Morrow, Dal (slashing), 4:01; Hogue, Dal (boarding), 6:35; Sydor, Dal (slashing), 9:02; Matvichuk (hooking), 16:08. SHOTS ON GOAL 1ST 2ND 3RD TOTAL --- --- --- ----- Nashville 7 8 6 21 Dallas 3 10 8 21 POWER PLAY: Nashville 0 of 7; Dallas 2 of 3. GOALIES: Nashville, Vokoun 13-17-5 (20 shots-16 saves). Dallas, Belfour 34-20-7 (21-20). Referees: Shane Heyer, Tim Peel. Linesmen: Brad Lazarowich, Thor Nelson. A: 17,001 (17,001).