Stars’ Unbeaten Streak Reaches Seven

The Dallas Stars got just what they wanted in their last game before the All-Star break. Another win, any way they could.

Jason Arnott scored on a backhander and All-Star goalie Marty Turco stopped 18 shots Wednesday night at Dallas, and the Stars beat Columbus, 1-0, to extend their unbeaten streak to seven games.

“That was the name of the game tonight, get two points and get out,” Dallas Coach Dave Tippett said. “The last game before the All-Star break, it’s tough mentally. We dug in, found a way to score a goal and hold on.”

Dallas went 6-0-1 in its last games before the All-Star break, moving up to fifth place in the Western Conference standings. The Stars didn’t trail at any point for the first time in six games.

Dallas is within three points of the Pacific Division-leading San Jose Sharks, who have one more game before the break.

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Philadelphia 5, Washington 1 -- Antero Niittymaki made 19 saves in his first career start, and John LeClair scored the go-ahead goal in the Flyers’ victory at Philadelphia.

Simon Gagne, Kim Johnsson, Mark Recchi and Keith Primeau also scored for the Flyers.

Robert Lang scored for the Capitals.

Niittymaki, a 23-year-old Finn, got the start because Robert Esche sprained his left knee in a collision with Gagne on Monday. Esche is expected to be sidelined at least three weeks.

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Minnesota 4, New York Rangers 3 -- Sergei Zholtok scored the tying goal early in the third period, and Marian Gaborik added the winner with 6:26 left to rally the Wild at New York.

Zholtok also scored in the second period, and Antti Laaksonen added a goal for Minnesota. Jaromir Jagr scored twice and assisted on Petr Nedved’s goal for the Rangers.

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Edmonton 5, St. Louis 3 -- Ryan Smyth scored twice to help the Oilers extend the Blues’ winless streak to eight games.

Radek Dvorak had a goal and an assist and Ethan Moreau also scored in the Oilers’ four-goal second period at Edmonton, Canada.

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Florida 5, Phoenix 4 -- Olli Jokinen scored his second power-play goal with 1:38 left in overtime, giving the Panthers a victory at Glendale, Ariz.