NHL ROUNDUP : Shark Lead Over Ducks Is Extended to 10 Points

The timing is perfect for the San Jose Sharks, who won their fifth game in a row, 5-3, over the Toronto Maple Leafs on Thursday night in San Jose.

The winning streak is a franchise record, and it has generated 10 points in the standings, exactly the number of points by which the Sharks lead the Mighty Ducks in the parade--it can no longer be called a race with only six games to play--to the final Western Conference spot in the playoffs.

The Ducks lost, 3-2 to Edmonton in overtime.

Ulf Dahlen scored for the Sharks to break a 3-3 tie in the third period.

They had fallen behind Toronto, 3-1, in the second period and won despite being outshot, 24-16.

Dahlen’s goal came 12:01 into the final period after Todd Elik dumped a pass to him just inside the Toronto zone.

Ray Whitney added a breakaway goal at 13:33, eluding Maple Leaf defenseman Todd Gill at the blue line and beating Felix Potvin to the glove side.

Dallas 2, Boston 2--Boston showed its historical bent, welcoming the past in Andy Moog and ridiculing the present in Jon Casey.

Moog, traded to Dallas last June for Casey, came home to the Boston Garden, but he stopped 27 Bruin shots for the Stars. No matter. “Welcome home, Andy,” the sign read, and “Moooooog,” the crowd said.

Casey stopped 26 Dallas shots in front of the home fans. No matter. “Casey’s a Bum,” the sign said.

Dave Gagner and Mike Modano scored for the Stars, who set a club record for points on the road in a season with 41. Steve Heinze and Glen Murray scored for Boston.

Quebec 4, Detroit 2--Iain Fraser had a goal and an assist in the third period to lead the Nordiques at Detroit, where Quebec goaltender Jacques Cloutier made 39 saves in his first start since Nov. 20.

It was the Red Wings’ sixth game in March against teams that aren’t in playoff positions and their fifth loss.

Calgary 4, Philadelphia 1--Theoren Fleury scored three goals for the Flames at Philadelphia.

The Pacific Division-leading Flames are 4-1-1 in their last six games.

Washington 6, Chicago 3--Goaltender Bryon Dafoe won his first NHL game in his second start and Keith Jones scored twice for the Capitals at Chicago.