Stars 5, Canucks 2
STARS 5, CANUCKS 2: Mike Ribeiro scored two goals and added an assist as visiting Dallas won for the seventh time in its last eight games.
Ribeiro put Dallas ahead 4-2, finishing off a crossing pass from Michael Ryder at 11:11 of the third period. Defenseman Stephane Robidas added an empty-net goal.
The Stars snapped a five-game losing streak in Vancouver and handed the Canucks their fourth loss in five outings.
The scoreboard lay dormant for the first 26:45 of the game until a streaking Chris Higgins beat Dallas goaltender Richard Bachman blocker side.
The Stars answered with two goals in less than three minutes late in the middle frame. Trevor Daley’s centering pass bounced off Loui Eriksson’s skate and past Roberto Luongo on the power play, then Ribeiro skated in untouched and beat Luongo top shelf to put Dallas ahead 2-1 heading into the third period.
Luongo avoided going down 3-1 early in the third period with a sliding stick save on Jamie Benn. However, Benn wouldn’t be denied on his next chance, beating Luongo short side on the nice pass from Steve Ott at 15:35 of the third.
Alexander Edler’s weak point shot deflected off a stick and over the shoulder of Bachman to pull Vancouver within one with just under eight minutes left in the game.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Dallas is 21-0-2 when taking a lead into the third period. … Riberio has 15 points in last 11 games. … Dallas has killed 36 of its last 39 penalties. … Henrik and Daniel Sedin have failed to register a point in 10 of their last 13 games.