Nichushkin scores on 21st birthday, Stars beat Devils 4-2
DALLAS (AP) — Valeri Nichushkin had a goal and an assist on his 21st birthday, and the Dallas Stars stopped a four-game slide with a 4-2 victory over the New Jersey Devils on Friday night.
Vernon Fiddler, Jason Spezza and Colton Sceviour also scored for Dallas, and Kari Lehtonen made 18 saves. Fiddler's short-handed score into an empty net with 20 seconds left was his 100th career goal.
With about a month left in the season, Dallas, Chicago and St. Louis are locked up in a tough race for the Central Division title. The Stars (39-20-7) and Blackhawks (40-21-5) each have 85 points, and the Blues (37-20-9) have 83.
New Jersey has lost seven of nine. Adam Henrique and Devante Smith-Pelly scored for the Devils, and Cory Schneider had 15 saves before leaving with an injury at 2:05 of the third period.