Sullivan, Daze Are Too Tricky

Steve Sullivan and Eric Daze made sure they ended the Chicago Blackhawks’ nine-game losing streak by putting the puck in the net -- often.

The linemates each scored three goals and had two assists, and the Blackhawks ended their longest skid since the 1988-89 season with an 8-5 victory over the Boston Bruins on Sunday at Chicago.

“I can’t explain that,� Sullivan said. “I told Eric on the bench, ‘Games like this don’t come along very often. Let’s take advantage of it.’ �

The hat tricks came from unexpected sources. Sullivan had only three goals in his previous 30 games, and Daze returned to the lineup after sitting out five games with an infected ankle.

“I’ve never been part of that. It’s something special,� Sullivan said. “It seemed like it would be a wide-open game. There was a lot of space out there and the puck was following me.�

The last time two Blackhawk players recorded hat tricks in the same game was Jan. 1, 1986, when Al Secord and Troy Murray each had three goals against Pittsburgh.

Dallas 3, San Jose 0 -- The Stars remained unbeaten in four games against their division rival, which has fallen to last in the Pacific Division and has been eliminated for the division title after winning it last season. The Stars improved to 93 points, best in the Western Conference.

Ron Tugnutt stopped 23 shots at Dallas for his third shutout this season. It was his 24th career shutout and improved his record to 5-4-3 since taking over while starter Marty Turco recovers from a sprained ankle.

“I haven’t been around for as long as I have because I’m some stiff,� said Tugnutt, who had been 4-4-3 with a 2.50 goals-against average since taking over for Turco.

Tugnutt has been under scrutiny after giving up some soft goals, fueling doubts over his ability to handle the load in the playoffs if Turco can’t return at full strength.

“That’s one thing that will tick an athlete off,� said Tugnutt. “I’ve got to prove to you people that you’re wrong about me.�

Ottawa 4, Pittsburgh 2 -- Marian Hossa scored his 39th goal at Ottawa to help the Senators extend the Penguins’ losing streak to nine games.

Ottawa, which beat Pittsburgh for the second consecutive night, retained its lead atop the NHL’s overall standings with 94 points.

Mario Lemieux was rested and didn’t play for the Penguins, who tied the second-longest losing streak in team history.

Pittsburgh, which was able to dress only 19 players after trading Randy Robitaille earlier in the day, last lost nine in a row during Lemieux’s rookie season in 1984-85.

The Penguins had a team-record 11-game losing streak in 1983.

Minnesota 6, Atlanta 4 -- The Wild equaled its franchise record for goals in a game and rallied twice from two-goal deficits at Atlanta.

It was the highest-scoring game this season involving the Wild, which reached six goals for only the second time and seventh time in team history.

Buffalo 1, Tampa Bay 1 -- Nikolai Khabibulin made 26 saves at Tampa, Fla., to extend his unbeaten streak to nine games, during which he is 7-0-2 with a 1.31 goals-against average and a .950 save percentage.

Sabre backup goalie Mika Noronen, coming off his first career shutout Saturday night at Florida, stopped 27 shots.