Stars making their move

Even without All-Star goalie Marty Turco finishing games, the Dallas Stars are winning and making up ground in the Pacific Division.

Jeff Halpern had a goal and two assists in a 7-5 victory over the Colorado Avalanche on Sunday at Dallas, when the Stars set a season high for goals and were involved in a 12-goal game for the first time in more than nine years.

Turco was pulled from his second straight start Sunday in favor of Mike Smith after giving up two goals in less than a minute midway through the second period.

“I’m disappointed that I let the guys down. They weren’t great goals,” Turco said. “I haven’t been my best the last couple weeks and it’s making Tip [Coach Dave Tippett] a little nervous.”

The Stars have won three straight games and five of their last six. With 70 points, they are four points behind the Ducks and one behind second-place San Jose.

Edmonton 5, Atlanta 1 -- Petr Sykora had three assists and Ryan Smyth, Marc-Andre Bergeron, Marc Pouliot, Joffrey Lupul and Raffi Torres scored for the Oilers at Edmonton, Canada. The Oilers have won five of their last seven games to move within six points of both the final playoff spot in the Western Conference and the top spot in the Northwest Division.

Detroit 7, Calgary 4 -- Henrik Zetterberg had two goals and two assists for the Red Wings at Detroit. Joey MacDonald had his first career win in goal as the Red Wings outshot the Flames, 50-20. Detroit has won 12 in a row at home.

Chicago 5, Columbus 4 -- Martin Havlat had a goal and two assists and the Blackhawks used a three-goal spree in the first period to win at Columbus, Ohio. A few Blue Jackets fans chanted “We want a re-fund!” in the third period -- before Columbus got close with two goals.

Tampa Bay 4, New Jersey 1 -- Nick Tarnasky and Vincent Lecavalier scored in a 48-second span to cap a three-goal second period and lead the Lightning at East Rutherford, N.J.