1. Antoine Vermette, Ottawa: Key goal and several great scoring chances for the Senators speedster.

2. Ray Emery, Ottawa: Goalie was tested pretty well, and this team was in need of some good goaltending.

3. Mike Ribeiro, Stars: Crafty center scored his team-leading 12th goal of the season and almost led Stars back.

First period: Ottawa scored 5:18 into the game when defenseman Christoph Schubert circled into the offensive zone, peeled back and then flung an unexpected shot on goal that slipped through a screen by teammate Shean Donovan. Dallas tied the score with a Niklas Hagman rebound goal on a 5-on-3 power play. But Ottawa regained the lead when Antoine Vermette turned Stephane Robidas around on a breakway and slipped the puck under Mike Smith at the 16:29 mark.

Ottawa 2, Stars 1

Second period: Both teams played solid defense, and Dallas simply could get no momentum going. Ottawa led in shots on goal, 6-1, and also earned a five-minute power play. Schubert was playing the puck in the corner and battling Stars winger Brenden Morrow, when Hagman hit him from behind and drove his head into the boards. The Senators received a five-minute power play to end the second period.

Ottawa 2, Stars 1

Third period: Stu Barnes took a double-minor for high-sticking, and the Senators got their insurance goal on the ensuing power play. Mike Fisher swept a puck in from the left circle that pushed the score to 3-1. Dallas fought back and ended up with 14 shots on goal in the period. Dallas scored on a Mike Ribeiro rebound, but Ottawa added an empty-netter to clinch the win.

Ottawa 4, Stars 2