Stars Hurting but Winning

With six regulars still unavailable because of injuries, the Dallas Stars have been forced to survive with a combination of healthy veterans and minor league call-ups.

Credit Friday night’s 6-1 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes at Dallas in large part to veteran Pat Verbeek and rookie Jamie Wright.

Verbeek scored three goals, giving him five over the last three games, and Wright scored the tie-breaking goal in the second period to lead the Stars to their fourth straight victory.

“The focus has changed with so many of the big guys out,” Verbeek said. “We’ve got some people filtering back into the lineup and the kids are doing a fantastic job.”

The Stars, who became the first team in the NHL to clinch a playoff spot earlier this week, improved their league-leading point total to 94.

Returning from injuries for Dallas were defenseman Derian Hatcher and left wing Bob Errey. Defenseman Craig Ludwig returned from a two-game suspension.

Washington 2, New Jersey 0--Goaltender Olaf Kolzig made 33 saves for his second consecutive shutout as the Capitals moved ahead of Boston and Montreal into fourth place in the Eastern Conference.

It was the sixth victory in seven games and fifth in a row at home for the Capitals. The conference-leading Devils suffered only their second loss in 16 games and their first shutout since Nov. 26.

Vancouver 1, Ottawa 1--Pavel Bure scored his 42nd goal and Arturs Irbe stopped 28 shots to help the Canucks earn a tie at Kanata, Canada.

The Senators had lost only one of their last 12 home games and were undefeated in their last eight at the Corel Centre (5-0-3). They currently are in the eighth and final Eastern Conference playoff spot.

Calgary 4, N.Y. Islanders 1--Theoren Fleury scored two goals at Calgary as the Flames kept their slim playoff hopes alive.

The victory moved the 11th-place Flames within seven points of idle Edmonton for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference.