If Stars align, Leafs may win second-straight

The Toronto Maple Leafs finally earned their first win of the season, but they still have plenty of work left to do if they hope to climb out of the Eastern Conference cellar.

They’ll hope to use the momentum from their breakout performance as they continue their road trip with Wednesday’s visit to Dallas, where the Stars will be trying to reverse a trend of problems at home.

Toronto relieved some of the pressure from its franchise-worst

Stars put Ott on IR with rib cage injury

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

DALLAS — The Dallas Stars have placed centre Steve Ott on injured reserve with a rib cage muscle injury.

The move Friday came five days after Ott injured an oblique muscle against Vancouver. He has one assist and nine penalty minutes in four games this year.

Ott will miss his second game Friday night against Boston.

To replace Ott, Dallas recalled centre Aaron Gagnon from the Texas Stars

Stars: Avery heading for re-entry

As was first reported by Sportsnet on Friday, the Dallas Stars will place Sean Avery on re-entry waivers Monday.

Stars co-general manager Les Jackson confirmed the plan Sunday during a TV broadcast, adding a team is poised to pick him up.

Sportsnet reported on Friday that the New York Rangers have committed to claiming Avery.

Avery previously played in New York under coach Tom Renney, who was fired and replaced by

Pair of rookies power Stars over Oil

DALLAS — Raymond Sawada scored his first NHL goal on his 24th birthday, and Fabian Brunnstrom had a goal and an assist to lead the Dallas Stars past the Edmonton Oilers 4-2 on Thursday night.

Sawada, recalled from the minors earlier in the day, gave the Stars a 2-0 lead in his first career game. After Edmonton rallied to tie it in the second, Brunnstrom’s goal gave the Stars the lead for good.

The Stars, who have won 10 of

Julien, McLellan to coach all-stars

NEW YORK — Boston Bruins coach Claude Julien will be behind the Eastern Conference bench and San Jose Sharks coach Todd McLellan will guide the Western Conference squad at the NHL all-star game in Montreal.

The all-star game is being held at the Bell Centre on Jan. 25. The NHL announced the selections on Saturday.

Julien has led Boston to its best start since 1929-30 and an Eastern Conference-leading 64 points entering

Bad hip sends Zubov to Stars IR

DALLAS — The Stars placed defenceman Sergei Zubov on the injured list and recalled Dan Jancevski from Hamilton of the AHL on Thursday.

The 38-year-old Zubov has missed Dallas’ last five games after injuring his hip last month. Zubov has four assists in 10 games this season and ranks third in franchise history for games played (839) and assists (438), and is five points behind Bobby Smith for fifth on the club’s career scoring

Stars exploring options for Avery

DALLAS — Sean Avery’s suspension officially ends after a Saturday game in Nashville. The next morning, Stars president Jeff Cogen told Sportsnet.ca Wednesday night, the Stars will have an announcement.

“I’ve no reason to make a decision (until there is) a decision to be made,” Cogen said Wednesday at the American Airlines Center, where Dallas took on the Phoenix Coyotes amid a swirl of controversy.

Cogen, owner

Stars re-acquire D Sydor from Pens

FRISCO, Tex. — Darryl Sydor is going back for a third stint with the Dallas Stars.

The Stars acquired the defenceman on Sunday from the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for defenceman Philippe Boucher.

“Darryl is a proven veteran defenceman who brings a great deal of character and leadership abilities to our group,” said Stars co-general manager Les Jackson in a release. “He is obviously a player we are very familiar

Stars sign veteran forward Parrish

FRISCO, Tex. — The struggling Dallas Stars are bringing in another veteran.

The Stars signed winger Mark Parrish to a US$500,000, one-year contract on Wednesday. Parrish played 66 games for Minnesota last season and was an unrestricted free agent.

“We feel that Mark will bring a great deal of experience and leadership to our club, as an established veteran in this league,” GM Les Jackson said in a statement. “He

Sabres’ Vanek leads NHL weekly stars

TORONTO — Buffalo Sabres left-winger Thomas Vanek was named NHL first star of the week Monday.

He picked up eight points (six goals, two assists) in four games last week, helping Buffalo to a 3-0-1 record over the stretch. Vanek has nine points (7-2) in his first five games and is off to the best start of his four-year career.

Minnesota Wild goaltender Niklas Backstrom was named second star and Dallas Stars rookie