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Canucks down Stars, reach top of NHL standings

Feb 2, 2011 - 4:58 AM Dallas, TX (Sports Network) - Mikael Samuelsson and Christian Ehrhoff both scored power-play goals in the second period to help the Vancouver Canucks beat the Dallas Stars, 4-1, at American Airlines Center.

Ryan Kesler added a short-handed tally for the Canucks, who have won three straight and lead the NHL with 73 points. Daniel Sedin collected two assists and Cory Schneider made 25 saves.

Loui Eriksson lit the lamp for the Pacific Division-leading Stars, who have dropped three of four. Kari Lehtonen allowed four goals on 26 shots in defeat.

"We've got to take responsibility for not jumping on the opportunities that we had," said Dallas head coach Marc Crawford.

The Canucks began the second period on a power play, and Samuelsson's wrist shot from the right circle gave the visitors a 1-0 lead inside the frame's opening minute.

Ehrhoff blasted a slap shot from the point through a screen less than three minutes later to make it 2-0.

Eriksson put Dallas on the board at the 6:22 mark of the middle frame. However, Vancouver's special teams struck again, this time while down a man as Kesler slammed home Jannik Hansen's pass to complete a 2-on-1 rush with 5:35 remaining before the second intermission.

Vancouver's Alexandre Burrows capped the scoring at 14:57 of the third period.

Game Notes

The Canucks have won all three meetings against the Stars this season, outscoring them 15-3...Vancouver center Cody Hodgson, the 10th overall pick of the 2008 draft, made his NHL debut.