Stars shine in San Jose

Mike Modano and the Dallas Stars might not want to leave the Shark Tank after taking a two-game lead Sunday in a Western Conference second-round playoff series.

Modano scored the tiebreaking goal early in the Stars’ four-goal third period, and Marty Turco made 29 saves in a 5-2 victory over the San Jose Sharks in Game 2 of the best-of-seven series.

Brad Richards scored the tying goal only 32 seconds into the third period on Joe Pavelski’s turnover that became a pass, and Niklas Hagman added two goals in the Stars’ eighth victory in their last nine trips to San Jose. Mike Ribeiro also scored an early goal.

“We’ve had amazing third periods so far in the playoffs,” said Modano, who has six goals in six games in San Jose this season. “It was a big trip for us. Now it’s up to us to respond to this at home. We know this is far from over, but at the same time, we had a great two days here. Every shift, every night, we’ve looked hungry.”

Dallas is trying to reach the conference finals for the first time since 2000.

“We’ve played very well in Dallas all season long,” Sharks Coach Ron Wilson said. “We can just relax now and push the pace, and play as a desperate hockey team.”

Milan Michalek and Pavelski scored for the second-seeded Sharks, who are 4-5 overall in the playoffs.

Pittsburgh 2, New York Rangers 0 -- Jordan Staal’s game-winning playoff goal for the Penguins couldn’t have made his parents much happier. Or sadder.

Staal’s power-play goal in the second period broke a scoreless tie and Pittsburgh goalie Marc-Andre Fleury made the lead stand up, giving the Penguins a home-ice sweep of the first two games.

Staal’s goal came with older brother Marc, a Rangers defenseman, on the ice, and was all the offensive support Fleury needed while making 26 saves. Fleury helped the Penguins kill off two key Rangers power plays in the final six-plus minutes before Adam Hall scored into an empty net with 16.7 seconds remaining.

Staal’s power-play goal at 13:55 of the second came with the Rangers’ best penalty killer, Chris Drury, off for hooking. Evgeni Malkin gathered the puck in the left circle and, shedding Marc Staal, fed it down low to Jordan Staal, who shifted from his backhand to his forehand to lift the puck over goalie Henrik Lundqvist.

“He’s a great passer,” Jordan Staal said. “I’m just glad to be the finisher.”

Did he realize who Malkin beat to get him the puck?

“Not really,” Staal said. “It’s pretty much a blur out there.”

Sidney Crosby didn’t score but again occupied the Rangers’ attention at both ends.