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Benn, Stars try to extend win streak vs. Penguins

Feb 29, 2012 - 3:51 PM (Sports Network) - The Dallas Stars will try to match their longest winning streak of the season tonight, when they host the Pittsburgh Penguins in an interconference showdown at American Airlines Center.

The Stars have posted four consecutive victories, leaving them one win shy of their season-high stretch from Oct. 10-21. The surge has helped move Dallas into a tie with Colorado and Los Angeles for the last playoff spot in the Western Conference.

Dallas posted its most recent win in a dramatic triumph over the best team in the Western Conference. The Stars notched a 3-2 overtime win Sunday against the visiting Vancouver Canucks, as Mike Ribeiro tied the game at 2-2 with 53 seconds left in regulation and Loui Eriksson won it 3:52 into the extra session.

"It took us 59 minutes to get that second goal," Stars head coach Glen Gulutzan said. "But I thought we stuck with it for 60 minutes, showed some resolve and it's a big win for our hockey club."

Steve Ott started the winning play by gaining the offensive blue line on the left wing off the rush. Ott took the puck all the way around behind the net and sent a pass back across the ice to Trevor Daley in the left circle. Daley looked up and found Eriksson, who tapped it home from in front for the winner.

Eriksson added an assist in regulation, while Ribeiro had a goal and an assist. Michael Ryder also scored for the Stars, while Kari Lehtonen made 24 saves in the win.

The Stars, who are 18-12-2 as the host this year, are expecting to get forward Jamie Benn back on the ice tonight for the finale of a three-game homestand. Benn has missed the last six games with a lacerated left leg, but is still second on the team with 49 points.

"Practice went well, I felt really good," the All-Star said on Tuesday. "I think I'll be a player tomorrow. I've told the coaches I'm ready to go."

Pittsburgh, which is currently seeded fourth in the East, also enters on a winning streak, as the Penguins have posted three straight victories. Dan Bylsma's club has outscored the opposition by a 14-3 margin over that span, but all three of those wins came on home ice. Tonight marks the start of a brief two-game trip for the Pens, who are 16-13-3 as the guest this year.

After destroying the Lightning by an 8-1 score on Saturday, Pittsburgh notched a 4-2 decision over Columbus on the following day. Pascal Dupuis scored the go-ahead goal as the Penguins used a three-goal third period to top the Blue Jackets at CONSOL Energy Center.

Evgeni Malkin followed up his four-point performance on Saturday against Tampa Bay with a goal, while Kris Letang and Joe Vitale also scored for the Pens. Malkin is leading the NHL with 78 points, two more than Lightning star Steven Stamkos.

Steve Sullivan and Matt Cooke added two assists apiece and Brad Thiessen made 22 saves in a victorious NHL debut. With regular backup Brent Johnson sidelined with an illness, Thiessen stepped up to give No. 1 netminder Marc- Andre Fleury a breather on Sunday.

"The most interesting part of the game for him (Thiessen) was going behind the net and playing the puck," Penguins head coach Dan Bylsma said of his netminder's performance. "He was strong and aggressive, challenging shooters out at the top of his crease. As the game went on, you could see he was comfortable in the net."

Johnson could be ready to resume backup duties tonight, but Fleury is expected to get the start.

Pittsburgh posted a 3-1 win against the Stars on Nov. 11 in Pennsylvania and has taken six of the last seven meetings in this series. Dallas is 5-1-1 in its last seven home tests against the Penguins.