Final
  for this game

Stars down Canucks

Apr 19, 2013 - 5:22 AM Dallas, TX (Sports Network) - Jamie Benn and Cody Eakin both scored one goal and one assist to lead the Dallas Stars to a 5-1 win over the Vancouver Canucks on Thursday.

Ray Whitney, Vernon Fiddler and Erik Cole each added a goal for the Stars, who sit two points behind the Columbus Blue Jackets for the eighth and final spot in the Western Conference playoffs. The Blue Jackets lost to the Los Angeles Kings on Thursday.

Kari Lehtonen stopped 37-of-38 shots in the win.

"I thought it was a hard fought game," said Dallas head coach Glen Gulutzan. "They played hard. I thought we stuck with it and stuck to the game plan most of the night against a good team."

Derek Roy scored the lone goal for the Canucks, who could have clinched a playoff berth with a win.

Corey Schneider allowed five goals on 30 shots.

"I think we need, after tonight, to regroup tomorrow and focus on Detroit," said Vancouver head coach Alain Vigneault.

Roy gave Vancouver a 1-0 lead with his marker 6:38 into the middle session, but Dallas countered with five unanswered goals.

Fiddler's goal 5 1/2 minutes later tied the game at 1-1.

Eakin scored the eventual game-winner 1:36 into the third period. Eakin controlled the puck just inside the Canucks' zone and skated alone to the net before ripping a wrister past Schneider.

Benn added an unassisted goal 2 1/2 minutes later and Whitney picked up his 11th tally of the season with just over seven minutes gone in the final frame.

Cole's power-play goal with 1:42 remaining capped the scoring. Cole snuck one past Schneider from the left side, which angered Canucks' defenseman Andrew Alberts. Alberts shoved Cole following the tally, which started a fight that resulted in 10-minute misconducts for both Alberts and Dallas defenseman Stephane Robidas.

Game Notes

Dallas killed 5-of-6 power plays ... Robidas had an assist ... The Canucks will host the Detroit Red Wings on Saturday ... Vancouver holds a four-point edge over the Minnesota Wild atop the Northwest Division standings.