Kings 3, Stars 0

Thursday December 12, 2002

DALLAS (AP) The Dallas Stars had no answer for Los Angeles' top line of Jason Allison, Adam Deadmarsh and Ziggy Palffy.

Allison, Deadmarsh and Palffy each had a goal and two assists, and Jamie Storr got his 14th career shutout as the Kings handed the Stars their first home defeat in regulation this season, 3-0 Wednesday night.

Los Angeles beat the Western Conference-leading Stars for the second time in less than three weeks.

``Our big line was clicking tonight,'' Kings coach Andy Murray said. ``Those were three nice goals. When we get all our players back, we're not a bad team ourselves.''

Allison and Deadmarsh have returned from injuries within the last week, giving the Kings a potent trio that has 26 points in its last six games.

``Everybody's healthy,'' Palffy said. ``Getting those guys back is a big help. They're two of our leaders.''

Dallas had earned at least a point in each of its first 13 home games, going 10-0-2-1. The Stars had an overtime loss to Florida and ties with the New York Rangers and Detroit.

The Kings shut out the Stars for the second consecutive game this season and third straight overall.

Storr, making his sixth appearance of the season while starter Felix Potvin got the night off, faced 13 shots in each of the last two periods and finished with 35 saves. He stopped Mike Modano with a glove save on a breakaway with 16:26 to play and won for only the second time this season (2-3-1).

``I guess I was in the right place at the right time,'' said Storr of the stop on Modano. ``He made a great shot, but luckily I had the glove in the right position.''

Potvin got his 28th career shutout Tuesday night, a 3-0 victory at Nashville. Los Angeles has a shutout streak of 120 minutes, 19 seconds.

The Kings scored on three of their first eight shots against Marty Turco, who began the night as the league leader in goals-against average and save percentage. Turco was lifted midway through the second period.

``This was a flat effort and a disappointing way for (the home streak) to end,'' Turco said. ``I guess we expected we could just show up. We need to realize that it takes hard work.''

Stars coach Dave Tippett was an assistant for the Kings last season, and he was facing his former team on Dallas ice for the first time. The Kings were 2-0 winners in Los Angeles on Nov. 23.

Deadmarsh beat Turco from the right circle on the Kings' first shot 6:43 after the opening faceoff. It was Deadmarsh's 12th goal.

Allison converted a two-on-one pass from Deadmarsh for his fifth goal and a 2-0 advantage at 2:28 of the second period. Palffy notched his ninth goal, from the slot on a power play at 9:21 of the second period.

Tippett replaced Turco with backup Ron Tugnutt at 10:12 of the second period.< ^Notes:@ Palffy has three of the Kings' five goals against the Stars this season. ... Stars RW Scott Young became the 183rd player in NHL history to play in 1,000 games. He is the 17th American-born player to reach the milestone. ... Dallas was the last NHL team to be unbeaten at home in regulation. ... The Stars were coming off a four-day break.

(Copyright 2002 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)