Recap: Hurricanes 6, Stars 4

The Carolina Hurricanes fell behind 2-0 in the first period, but then scored five consecutive goals and held on to beat the Dallas Stars, 6-4 on Tuesday night at the America Airlines Center.

Eric Staal had two goals and an assist and was named player of the game by his teammates.

The Stars jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the opening period on just six shots as Jamie Benn and Tyler Seguin lit the lamp for the home team.  Benn's goal came just 1:48 into the game.

The Hurricanes, who had the worst road record in the league before this game at 1-6-2, poured it on in the second period with four goals.

Jeff Skinner got things started as he squeezed a perfect shot past goalie Kari Lehtonen.

Patrick Dwyer scored his first of the season when he took a loose puck that John-Michael Liles had knocked away and beat Lehtonen with a backhander, then Victor Rask scored during a powerplay to make it 3-2.

Next, Jiri Tlusty tipped an Elias Lindholm shot to make it 4-2 and the Canes enjoyed a nice turnaround during the second intermission.  Having allowed four goals on 16 shots, Lehtonen was relieved of his duties and Anders Lindback took his spot.

But to start out the third period, Staal took a pass from Justin Faulk and broke in on the Dallas net.  Lindback made the initial save, but the captain knocked in the rebound to give the visitors a 5-2 lead.  The goal came just nine seconds into the period.

But Dallas was not done.  They started to put on intense pressure in the Carolina zone and would score twice to make the score 5-4 on goals by Seguin and Eakin.

But Staal attacked the net again when Riley Nash made a really nice play as he stole the puck at center ice.  Nash was able to get a nifty pass by the defenseman and Staal beat Lindback five-hole to seal the game.

The captain almost had a hat-trick but missed an open net late in the game.

The win put an end to a three game losing streak for the Canes and no doubt will lighten the mood as they continue on their road trip.  Next up will be the Kings on Thursday night.

Game Notes:

• While Cam Ward's numbers were not great, (four goals allowed on 27 shots), he made a few tough saves later in the game.  He also stood his ground and kept his composure as things got tight in the third period.
• It's the first game since February, 2012 that the Canes scored five straight goals.
• Carolina dominated in the circle winning 62% of the game's faceoffs.  Staal won 68% (15 of 22) to lead the way.  (Lindholm won 80% on just five draws.)
• The Stars outshot the Canes 27-25.  Staal and Skinner were tied with a team high four shots each.
• Faulk played a team high 25:44 with Sekera right behind.
• Event summary stat sheet
• Bill Peters post game presser