Sharks Answer Stars’ Best Shot

After giving up 17 shots in the first period, the last thing the San Jose Sharks needed was to play a man short for five minutes because Mike Ricci, their top penalty killer, was ejected.

The ensuing power play indeed turned out to be the game’s turning point, yet surprisingly it benefited San Jose.

Evgeni Nabokov’s solid goaltending and outstanding work by the penalty-killing unit sparked a 2-1 victory over the Dallas Stars on Friday night at Dallas, keeping the Sharks atop the Pacific Division.

“Killing penalties like that takes teamwork and I needed to make some great saves,” said Nabokov, who faced only two shots on the five-minute major and made 28 saves overall. “That’s why you’re a team, to help each other.”

Dallas goalie Ed Belfour continued to struggle, losing for the seventh time in 15 starts. He gave up a 45-foot goal to Gary Suter midway through the second period, then one to Marco Sturm in the third period. Sturm’s shot hit the webbing of Belfour’s glove, popped out and trickled into the net.

Colorado 5, Chicago 2--Peter Forsberg had two goals and an assist in the first nine minutes, and the Avalanche withstood two quick short-handed goals by the Blackhawks’ Steve Sullivan to win at Denver.

Colorado posted its fifth consecutive victory and extended its home unbeaten streak to nine games (8-0-1).

Avalanche goalie Patrick Roy had 22 saves. Chicago’s Michel Larocque, making his first NHL start after making his league debut the previous night in relief of Jocelyn Thibault, had 20 saves.

New York Islanders 3, New York Rangers 2--Brad Isbister scored two third-period goals and Wade Flaherty made 32 saves to lead the Islanders to a victory over their cross-town rivals at Madison Square Garden.

Mariusz Czerkawski also scored for the Islanders, who won for only the second time in 13 games.

Ottawa 5, Florida 4--Marian Hossa scored his second goal with 2:06 remaining in overtime to give the surging Senators a victory at Sunrise, Fla.

After getting around Florida’s Lance Ward along the right boards, Hossa skated in alone and shot the puck past Panther goalie Trevor Kidd.

Boston 2, Buffalo 1--Mikko Eloranta scored both Boston goals to pave the way for a Bruin victory at Buffalo.

Buffalo has lost consecutive home games for the first time since losing three in a row in January of last season.

Edmonton 1, Phoenix 1--Mike Grier’s goal early in the third period lifted the Oilers to a tie with the Coyotes at Edmonton, Canada.

Around the League

Chicago recalled right wing Blair Atcheynum and sent left wing Valeri Zelepukin to Norfolk of the American Hockey League. . . . Atlanta defenseman Brett Clark was sent down to Orlando, the Thrashers’ International Hockey League affiliate.