Goals from Cody Eakin, Patrick Eaves and Ales Hemsky and some timely work from Kari Lehtonen puts the Stars in an enviable position going into the final nine games.
The Dallas Stars are within one regulation or overtime win (or one Minnesota Wild regulation loss) of qualifying for the 2016 Stanley Cup playoffs after putting together a solid full-team effort to defeat the New York Islanders 3-0 at the American Airlines Center to cap a five-game homestand.
The first period was a relatively quiet affair, save an impressive first power play attempt from the Stars and a short breakaway attempt for Antoine Roussel that was fought off by Islanders goalie Thomas Greiss.