Mary Turco makes 34 saves, Jamie Benn scores twice to help Stars beat Coyotes 4-0

Turco, Benn send Stars past Coyotes

DALLAS — Marty Turco made 34 shots for his 39th career shutout, rookie Jamie Benn had his first two-goal game, and the Dallas Stars snapped the road-weary Phoenix Coyotes’ season-best six-game winning streak with a 4-0 victory Saturday night.

James Neal scored his team-high 23rd goal, Loui Eriksson scored short-handed for his 22nd goal of the season, and the Stars improved to 10-2 in their last 12 home games in the second meeting between the teams in Texas in less than a week.

Phoenix won the first three games of the season series, including a 4-2 decision on Jan. 31, by a total score of 12-6 under former Dallas coach Dave Tippett.

The Coyotes, who wrapped up a four-game trip, beat Chicago 2-1 in a shootout on Friday night.

Turco was sharp in his third consecutive start en route to his third shutout of the season. Before the current stretch, backup Alex Auld had started six of eight as coach Marc Crawford looks for a hot goalie to spark a playoff push.

Tippett, Dallas’ coach from 2002 until he was fired last June, took over the Coyotes in late September, and his new team has emerged as surprise contenders despite relocation threats, low payroll and a bankruptcy filing.

The Stars were able to focus after Thursday’s announcement that owner Tom Hicks is exploring a possible sale of the team. Hicks has already agreed to sell his baseball team, the Texas Rangers.

Ilya Bryzgalov made 31 saves for Phoenix after getting Friday night off.

Dallas came out hitting and Neal got the Stars on the board at 3:36 of the opening period when he converted Eriksson’s goal-mouth pass.

Neal’s long lead pass sent Eriksson in on a breakaway and Eriksson scored his second shorthanded goal of the season at 18:33 of the first period, stretching Dallas’ lead to 2-0.

Benn’s backhander off a rebound made it 3-0 at 2:37 of the second period, and he added a power-play goal from the right circle 3:51 later.

NOTES: Stars C Mike Modano (knee) was back in the lineup after missing the previous game. … D Mark Fistric (lower-body injury) was among the Stars’ scratches and is day-to-day. … Dallas C Mike Ribeiro (throat contusion) is skating in practice as he closes in on a return. Ribeiro sat out his 15th straight game. … Phoenix entered the game 25th in the league on the power play, and the Coyotes went 0 for 6 with the advantage. … The Stars won’t play at home again until March 2.