Modano Gets Assist No. 600

While making history, Mike Modano also assured that the Dallas Stars would maintain a share of the NHL’s best record.

Modano’s 600th career assist led to Bill Guerin’s tying goal with 1:30 left in regulation as the Stars came back from a two-goal deficit for a 2-2 tie against the St. Louis Blues on Wednesday night at Dallas.

“It’s been fun. There’s been a lot of milestones this year,” said Modano, the Stars’ career leader for games played, goals, assists and points. “My 1,000th point, I kept the puck. But after that, it doesn’t matter.”

Modano joined Philadelphia’s Jeremy Roenick as the only American-born players with 400 goals and 600 assists. Modano is the 44th player overall to reach that combined mark.

Modano scored his 21st goal of the season -- and 437th of his 14-year career -- in the second period.

But he wasn’t on the ice for the end of overtime, having sustained a bruise on his right forearm after being hit by a puck early in the extra period. The Stars said he is day-to-day.

Dallas is 12-1-4 its last 17 games and has 73 points. Both Eastern Conference division leaders, Ottawa and New Jersey, won Wednesday, giving them 73 points each and a share of the NHL’s best record.

New Jersey 4, Washington 1 -- John Madden scored three goals, and the Devils set a team record with at least one point in 14 consecutive games when they beat the Capitals at Washington.

Madden had two fast-break goals, one empty-netter and an assist, including the game-winning score set up on a turnover by Jaromir Jagr. Martin Brodeur made 27 saves.

Vancouver 4, Columbus 4 -- Darren Van Impe scored while killing a penalty with 2:26 left as Columbus rallied from a three-goal deficit at Columbus, Ohio.

The Canucks took a 4-1 lead when Todd Bertuzzi, Sami Salo and Trevor Linden had goals in a span of 8:01 of the second period. Tyler Wright and Mike Sillinger scored later in the period to put Columbus back in the game.

Toronto 6, Florida 0 -- Toronto scored three goals in the first 4:11 of the second period at Sunrise, Fla., and Ed Belfour made 33 saves for his sixth shutout of the season.

Mats Sundin, Wade Belak and Tomas Kaberle had the key Toronto goals. Robert Reichel, Shayne Corson and Jyrki Lumme also scored for the Maple Leafs, who extended their winning streak to three games.

Ottawa 5, New York Rangers 3 -- Todd White’s second power-play goal of the game -- midway through the final period -- proved decisive for the Senators at New York.

Minnesota 2, Chicago 1 -- Dwayne Roloson of the Wild stopped 21 shots, and Wes Walz scored the game-winning goal in the second period at St. Paul, Minn.

San Jose 6, Carolina 2 -- Brad Stuart scored his first goal in more than two months, and Patrick Marleau had three assists as the Sharks won at San Jose.