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 Despite leading scorer Colin Wilson and top-six forward Patric Hornqvist being out because of upper body injuries, the Predators snapped a six-game, road-losing streak (0-5-1) on the first stop of a five-game trip.
Nick Spaling added a goal, and Rich Clune scored on a penalty shot for the Predators. David Legwand and Craig Smith both had two assists.
Kari Lehtonen made 17 saves for the Stars, who had scored at least three goals in 13 of 15 games. Dallas was shut out for the third time this season.
Nashville scored on two of four power plays and turned aside Dallas' four advantages. The Predators are 5-for-10 on the power play in their last three games after a 1-for-14 slump in the previous six.
Although veteran forward Ray Whitney returned after missing 16 games because of a broken foot, the Stars were without top-line center Jamie Benn (wrist) and captain Brenden Morrow, who sat out a second game (groin).
The Stars began a season-high, four-game homestand as part of a stretch in which they will play nine of 11 in Dallas, but fell to 5-5-1 there.
With the Predators leading 2-0 midway through the second period, Clune scored on a penalty shot at 9:09. It was the first penalty shot for Clune, a former Stars draft pick who never played for them.
Dallas' best scoring chance came with 3:17 left in the second, when Whitney set up Trevor Daley for a one-timer from the slot. Even though he had a half-empty net, Daley's shot hit teammate Erik Cole in the skate before Rinne dived across to knock away the rebound.
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An outbreak of fights erupted with 5:35 remaining in the third period during a Nashville power play after Mike Fisher crashed into Lehtonen. Stephane Robidas challenged Fisher to a fight and two more bouts broke out elsewhere.
Just 33 seconds later, Bourque scored his seventh goal.
Spaling started the scoring with a shot that beat Lehtonen's glove at 12:16. It was his fourth goal of the season.
Weber's fourth of the season appeared to glance off the stick of Dallas defenseman Jordie Benn in front and just inside the left post at 2:16.
The Stars responded with considerable pressure, but Rinne made outstanding saves on Ray Whitney's one-timer from the left circle at 3:15 and on Loui Eriksson's one-timer from the right circle at 4:38.
NOTES: Wilson, who leads Nashville with seven goals and 19 points in 25 games, was injured Saturday against Minnesota and is expected to be out at least through the weekend. . The Stars honored former RW Bill Guerin, who spent three seasons with Dallas from 2002-06, by putting him on the club's all-time team. Guerin had 72 goals and 159 points in 216 games with them. . The Predators are 10-0-5 this season when they score first.
[Associated
Press]
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