Stars Beat Sharks, 3-1, to Regain Points Lead

Ulf Dahlen scored while sprawling to the ice, and the Dallas Stars reclaimed the top point total in the NHL with a 3-1 victory over the San Jose Sharks Sunday night.

Dahlen worked the puck along the boards behind the net against Todd Harvey. As Dahlen made a move to the front, he fell down and took a swipe at the puck, knocking it between the legs of Miikka Kiprusoff.

Dahlen’s 13th goal gave Dallas a 1-0 lead with 7:12 left in the second period. Darian Hatcher added a goal 90 seconds into the third period and Jere Lehtinen also scored for the Stars.

With 81 points, the Stars again have the points lead, one ahead of Eastern Conference leader Ottawa. They have won a league-high 21 home games (21-3-4-1).

Ron Tugnutt started his second straight game because All-Star goalie Marty Turco is out because of a left ankle injury. Tugnutt stopped 19 shots, allowing only a 5-on-3 goal to Vincent Damphousse with 11:46 left.

The Stars are 16-2-4 in the 22 games since losing three in a row from Dec. 21 to Dec. 26.