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Stars take down Predators

Jan 6, 2012 - 6:55 AM Nashville, TN (Sports Network) - Mike Ribeiro scored two first-period goals, Kari Lehtonen made 24 saves and the Dallas Stars posted a 4-1 victory over the Nashville Predators.

Jamie Benn recorded his third straight multi-point game with a goal and an assist for Dallas, which entered play having lost three of four games.

Gabriel Bourque supplied the lone Nashville tally, while Pekka Rinne surrendered four goals on 30 shots in defeat.

"We weren't sharp," said Predators coach Barry Trotz. "It was a self-inflicted four goals, that's how I see it."

The Predators, who were aiming for a fourth consecutive win, welcomed back captain Shea Weber into the lineup Thursday night.

Weber suffered a concussion in the last matchup with the Stars on December 23, absorbing a hit from defenseman Mark Fistric, and sat out four games.

"My conditioning was pretty good," said Weber. "I felt pretty good skating. My hands just weren't quite where I want them to be."

A pair of Ribeiro goals sandwiched around Bourque's first career NHL tally staked Dallas to a 2-1 lead after 20 minutes.

Ribeiro skated around two defenders and slid a backhander past Rinne 4:18 after the game's opening faceoff. He struck again with 39 seconds remaining in the first period, nudging a loose puck across the goal line before Rinne was able to cover it up in the crease.

Nashville defenseman Ryan Suter misplayed the puck behind his own net and it led to Benn beating a surprised Rinne at the 6:28 mark of the second period.

Adam Burish provided some insurance for Dallas with 7:07 to play in the third period.

Game Notes

Loui Eriksson collected two assists and now has points in five straight games against Nashville...Dallas' Steve Ott failed to score on a penalty shot in the second period.