Offense-Minded Stars Open With 6-4 Victory

After celebrating an NHL title won with a gritty defense, the Dallas Stars showed Friday night why they believe they can repeat as champions with a juiced-up offense.

Mike Modano scored twice and Brett Hull and Joe Nieuwendyk each had a goal and two assists as the Stars beat the Pittsburgh Penguins, 6-4, in the opener, spoiling Mario Lemieux’s debut as the owner of his former team.

“With all the hoopla going on this week, this was something good for us to build on,” Dallas Coach Ken Hitchcock said.

Hockey Notes

Former NHL defensemen Rod Langway and Gordie Roberts and college coaching legend Sid Watson were elected to the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame. Langway twice won the Norris Trophy as outstanding defenseman during his 15-year career, and Roberts was the first U.S.-born player to appear in 1,000 NHL games. Watson won four ECAC Division II titles as coach of Bowdoin and was voted national small college coach of the year three times. He also served as Bowdoin’s athletic director.

Staff writer Helene Elliott contributed to this story.