Modano powers Stars

Mike Modano's latest milestone gave the Dallas Stars yet another home victory over the Edmonton Oilers.

Modano scored on a power play with 2:21 remaining in the Stars' 4-3 victory over the Oilers on Sunday night.

Modano broke a tie with his 537th career goal, beating rookie Jeff Drouin-Deslauriers from the left circle off a feed from Brad Richards to become the 31st NHL player with 1,300 points.

"That was a great shot there, especially on a milestone goal that was so meaningful for our group," Stars coach Dave Tippett said. "You don't get 1,300 points without being a great player, and that was a great goal."

Modano also had an assist and extended his lead among U.S.-born goal-scorers.

"(Richards) made a great pass, on the stick, and I found a seam," said Modano, playing in his 20th season -- all with the Stars. "I've been blessed to have been around this long."

Toby Petersen scored his first goal in two seasons, and Mike Ribeiro added a power-play goal for Dallas. The Stars made their regular-season home record against Edmonton 23-4-2 since they moved from Minnesota in 1993.

The honors continue for Modano, the franchise's icon.

"When you think about all he's done, the milestones and the ceremonies, and one more creeps up on him," Stars goaltender Marty Turco said. "At this juncture of the season we need him more than anyone."

Modano, second on the team with nine goals, wasn't sure he would be healthy enough to play after overnight back spasms. But a pep talk from his father, Mike Sr., visiting for the holidays, convinced Modano to lace on the skates.

"It spasmed up in the middle of the night, but it felt better as the day went on," Modano said. "Dad gave me a little lip service, told me not to sit this one out."

ALSO SUNDAY

BLUES 4, THRASHERS 2: St. Louis celebrated Keith Tkachuk's milestone goal, then went on to win a rare road game.

Tkachuk tied it then Brad Boyes put St. Louis ahead midway through the third period in a victory over host Atlanta.

The Thrashers lost for the sixth time in seven games and the Blues ended a two-game losing streak and are 4-8 away from home.

Tkachuk made the score 2-2 with late in the second period for the 1,000th point of his career, then Boyes scored with 8:15 to play in the game.

"It was exciting to celebrate and have the guys come out on the ice. Just the way the guys reacted was pretty cool," Tkachuk said. "I was in the right place at the right time."

Boyes knocked in a rebound of a shot by Carlo Colaiacovo for his 12th goal, and Jay McClement added an empty-net goal.

Tkachuk, 36 and playing his 17th NHL season, has 511 goals and 489 assists in 1,077 games.

PANTHERS 4, RANGERS 0: At New York, Stephen Weiss and Gregory Campbell scored 12 seconds apart for Florida in the second period, and Craig Anderson made 37 saves for his second shutout of the season and sixth overall in the NHL.

With Florida leading 1-0 on Ville Peltonen's breakaway goal in the second, Weiss and Campbell connected to knock out Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist for the second time in three home games. Michael Frolik had a goal and an assist.

LATE SATURDAY

FLAMES 3, CANUCKS 1: Daymond Langkow scored the first goal in host Calgary's win over Vancouver.

Langkow's sixth goal of the season came on a power play with 38 seconds left in the second period.

David Moss made it 2-0 for Calgary at 6:11 of the third period.