1. Steve Reinprecht, Phoenix: Two goals and an assist. His effort on a third-period goal crushed any hope of a Stars comeback.

2. Ed Jovanovski, Phoenix: A goal and two assists. The high-dollar defenseman is proving a key cog in the Coyotes' turnaround.

3. Shane Doan, Phoenix: He is this team's leader. Even when he doesn't score, he's noticeable.

1st: Dallas came out a little sluggish but turned away Phoenix's advances until late in the period. After Niklas Hagman took a roughing penalty in the offensive end, former Stars center Niko Kapanen fed Mike York with a slick pass from behind the net. York scored on a one-timer from about five feet away at the 18:34 mark.

Phoenix 1, Stars 0

2nd: Phoenix took control of the game, outshooting Dallas 16-9 in the period and earning three power-play opportunities. Stars captain Brenden Morrow tied the score on a slap shot from the left circle at the 1:24 mark. But Phoenix answered with goals from Steve Reinprecht (on the power play after goalie Marty Turco mishandled a puck) and from Ed Jovanovski (on a shot from the point).

Phoenix 3, Stars 1

3rd: Stephane Robidas broke a 92-game goal drought to make the score 3-2 at the 3:00 mark, but Reinprecht scored on a rebound to return the Coyotes' cushion to two goals. Jussi Jokinen then took a hooking penalty, and Keith Ballard scored on the power play, Phoenix's third 4-on-5 goal of the game. The Stars had allowed only four 4-on-5 goals before Thursday.

Phoenix 5, Stars 2