Stars’ Home Unbeaten Streak at 16

Jason Arnott and Bill Guerin each had a goal and two assists Thursday night at Dallas, and the Stars stretched their franchise-record home unbeaten streak to 16 games with a 3-0 victory over the Vancouver Canucks.

The Stars bounced back from Tuesday’s 3-3 tie with San Jose when Dallas gave up three goals in the final 6:03.

Dallas had given up the tying goal in the final minute of four games earlier this season, but the Stars were in control down the stretch against Vancouver.

“We played more of a sound game,� Guerin said. “The other night we were pretty fortunate to get a tie. Tonight we didn’t want to leave anything to chance.�

Marty Turco made 20 saves for his 20th career shutout, and Philippe Boucher had a goal for the Stars in a potential first-round playoff preview. Vancouver is fourth in the Western Conference, a point ahead of fifth-place Dallas.

“It’s still a little early yet, but there’s a strong possibility we’ll be playing each other again in the playoffs,� said Vancouver goaltender Dan Cloutier, who was pulled after two periods because of a lower body injury. “We wanted to come in here, get a win and pick up two points, but we didn’t play well enough to do that.�

Dallas has eight games left, five on the road, including a contest at Vancouver on March 27. The Canucks have eight remaining, three on the road.

The Stars have won all three meetings with the Canucks and are 6-1 against Vancouver the last two seasons.

“Our focus first and foremost is how we play,� Star Coach Dave Tippett said. “If we play like we’re capable of playing, the numbers will take care of themselves.�

Dallas continued the longest home unbeaten streak in the league (12-0-4) since the Detroit Red Wings put together a 19-game run from Dec. 31, 2000, to April 7, 2001. The Stars’ last home loss was Jan. 10 against Colorado.

Detroit 1, Phoenix 1 -- Erik Westrum scored his first NHL goal 2:11 into the third period at Glendale, Ariz., but the Coyotes’ winless streak reached 14 games.

Brendan Shanahan scored his 557th career goal for the Red Wings, who moved four points ahead of Colorado for the top spot in the Western Conference.

Calgary 2, Columbus 0 -- Matthew Lombardi and Jarome Iginla scored, and Miikka Kiprusoff made 23 saves at Calgary to help the Flames tighten their grip on a playoff berth.

Calgary is five points ahead of seventh-place St. Louis in the Western Conference playoff race.

Tampa Bay 3, Buffalo 1 -- Tim Taylor broke a tie 52 seconds into the third period, leading the Lightning past the Sabres at Tampa, Fla.

Minnesota 2, Boston 0 -- Manny Fernandez stopped 31 shots for his second shutout, and Stephane Veilleux scored his first goal since 2002 to lead the Wild at Boston.

Ottawa 2, Colorado 0 -- Peter Schaefer and Wade Redden scored first-period goals, and Patrick Lalime made 23 saves to lift the Senators to victory at Ottawa.

Toronto 3, Philadelphia 2 -- Brian Leetch scored his first two goals with the Maple Leafs in a victory at Philadelphia.

Washington 4, New York Rangers 3 -- Kip Miller spoiled Jaromir Jagr’s return to Washington by scoring a power-play goal 1:18 into overtime as the Capitals ended a five-game losing streak.