Game Recap

DALLAS 4, COLUMBUS 0 DALLAS (AP) - Joe Nieuwendyk is already well on his way to bouncing back from a sour season. The center scored twice Wednesday night as the Dallas Stars beat the Columbus Blue Jackets 4-0 to end a three-game losing streak. Nieuwendyk, a two-time 50-goal scorer, had only 15 goals in a 1999-00 season marred by shoulder, rib and chest injuries and ineffective play. He already has seven goals in 13 games. "It was a difficult season last year because of all the injuries," Nieuwendyk said. "I just feel much better and that makes it a lot more fun to go to the rink every day. I feel confident, and my health is the key." Ed Belfour stopped 14 shots for his second shutout of the season and 51st of his career in the Stars' first meeting with the expansion Blue Jackets. Belfour had long stretches of inactivity, facing only four shots in the first period. "Sometimes it's tough when you don't see a shot for a few minutes," Belfour said. "Sometimes you can take a new team for granted. Tonight we didn't." Ted Donato and Nieuwendyk scored 46 seconds apart in the second period. Donato got his first goal of the season at 7:21 of the second period, converting Shaun Van Allen's centering pass, and Nieuwendyk scored at 8:07. "It was a weight off my shoulder," said Donato, a free agent addition who had been without a point in his first nine games with the Stars. "I hope I can get going now." Jere Lehtinen added his third of the season on a rebound from the slot 38 seconds into the third period. Nieuwendyk got his seventh of the season on another rebound with 15:12 left. Marc Denis made 25 saves for Columbus, keeping his team in the game by holding Dallas scoreless in the first period while the Stars were outshooting the Blue Jackets 12-4. Columbus had won two of its previous three games. The Blue Jackets were trying to win consecutive games for the first time. Columbus coach Dave King said the Stars were the best team the Blue Jackets have faced thus far. "The things that got them to the Stanley Cup finals two times were evident tonight," King said. "They generate so much speed so early in their attack that they put you on your heels." The Stars and Blue Jackets play three more times this month to complete their season series. DALLAS STARS 4, Columbus Blue Jackets 0 1ST 2ND 3RD FINAL --- --- --- ----- Columbus 0 0 0 0 Dallas 0 2 2 4 FIRST PERIOD - SCORING: None. PENALTIES: None. SECOND PERIOD - SCORING: 1, Dallas, Donato 1 (Van Allen, Marshall), 7:21. 2, Dallas, Nieuwendyk 6 (Hull, Hatcher), 8:07. PENALTIES: Dineen, Clm (slashing), 9:58. THIRD PERIOD - SCORING: 3, Dallas, Lehtinen 3 (Sydor, Modano), :38. 4, Dallas, Nieuwendyk 7 (Lukowich, Morrow), 4:48. PENALTIES: Odelein, Clm (slashing), 7:28; Zubov, Dal (tripping), 17:09. SHOTS ON GOAL 1ST 2ND 3RD TOTAL --- --- --- ----- Columbus 4 5 5 14 Dallas 12 11 6 29 POWER PLAY: Columbus 0 of 1; Dallas 0 of 2. GOALIES: Columbus, Denis 1-4-0 (29 shots-25 saves). Dallas, Belfour 6-4-1 (14-14). Referees: Mark Joannette, Kevin Maguire. Linesmen: David Brisebois, Dan McCourt. A: 17,001 (17,001).