Rampaging Stars hit 8 past Leafs

Source: Agencies  |   2008-12-25  |     NEWSPAPER EDITION

THE Toronto Maple Leafs surrendered a season-high eight goals in an 2-8 rout at the hands of the Dallas Stars in their final game before the NHL's Christmas break on Tuesday.

James Neal scored his first career hat-trick for the Stars, who have now won three of their last four games and are threatening to climb out of the Pacific division cellar.

"It's a special date coming home to play the Toronto Maple Leafs, it's a dream come true," said Neal, who grew up in Toronto supporting the Maple Leafs. "We came out hard but obviously they were a little tired with their game last night and the travel.

"But tonight was something special, it's something I'll never forget."

Playing their third game in four days, the Leafs had little left in their tanks as Dallas jumped out to a 3-0 lead on goals from Neal, Steve Ott and Fabian Brunnstrom before Toronto had registered their first shot on goal.

Brad Richards completed the first period rout with a power play goal to give Dallas a 4-0 advantage by the break.

The Stars continued their assault in the second, Krystopfer Barch slamming home a loose puck from a goalmouth scramble before Mike Ribeiro and Neal scored 80 seconds apart to chase Toronto netminder Vesa Toskala from the game.

Jason Blake spoiled Marty Turco's shutout bid late in the second and Mikhail Grabovski struck midway through the third before Neal completed his hat-trick with a rocket from the left face-off circle.

"They travelled late last night and we wanted to jump on them early and get a lead and we were able to do that," Dallas coach Dave Tippett told reporters.

"It's pretty hard to come back when you're a tired team.

"I thought we did a pretty good job on not letting our foot off the gas."

While it was a bitterly disappointing result for the young Leafs (14-14-6), who had five wins in their previous six games, coach Ron Wilson refused to let the defeat detract from what he viewed a successful start to the rebuilding process.

"We're at .500 right now and at the beginning of the year there wasn't a person who thought we would be there," he said.

"The tank was completely empty, we were on fumes.

"You have your ups and downs with a young team like this and for me there have been more ups and downs."

In San Jose, California, the NHL-leading San Jose Sharks piled on a record-breaking five goals in the first 21 minutes for a 5-0 win over the Vancouver Canucks.

Sharks captain Patrick Marleau had a goal and two assists during the barrage, and Evgeni Nabokov made 33 saves to keep San Jose unbeaten in regulation time at home this season.

The Sharks tormented Vancouver goalie Cory Schneider, who gave up those five goals on 15 shots before getting yanked. Nabokov then earned his second shutout and league-leading 19th victory with 29 saves in the final two periods.

The scoring burst set a franchise record for the quickest five goals to open a game.

In Newark, New Jersey, Boston set its longest winning stretch of the season, notching a sixth straight victory by shutting out New Jersey 2-0.

Tim Thomas made 25 saves for his third shutout of the season and 10th of his career, making to key stops in the closing four minutes. Milan Lucic broke a scoreless tie early in the third period.

The Devils, coping with the loss of ace goalie Martin Brodeur until February or March, lost a three-game winning streak.

In New York, Washington rallied from a four-goal deficit to sink New York 5-4 in an overtime thriller.

Alex Ovechkin, who came in with only two career points in six games at Madison Square Garden, showed off his MVP form with two goals and an assist.

New York led 4-0 and carried a three-goal lead into the third period, but couldn't hold it. The only other time the Rangers did not win at home after leading 4-0 was in 1979.