1. Ilya Bryzgalov, Phoenix: Kept the Coyotes from getting buried early and was strong late.

2. Mike Modano, Stars: Goal and assist, and brought energy all game.

3. Keith Yandle, Phoenix: Two assists and solid play on defense

1st: The Stars controlled the first 10 minutes of the period, and the Coyotes controlled the second. Phoenix had a lead in shots on goal at 12-11, and probably had the better of the chances. Robert Lang banged one off the crossbar late.

Stars 0, Phoenix 0

2nd: Phoenix continued the energy it built at the end of the first period and scored 12 seconds into the second. Lang scored off the rebound of a Peter Mueller shot. Dallas then scored it when Mike Modano whipped a backhand in from the slot in transition. But Phoenix took a 2-1 lead with 24.3 seconds left in the period when defenseman David Schlemko slipped in a wrister from the slot for his first NHL goal. Marty Turco also stopped a penalty shot from Shane Doan midway through the period.

Phoenix 2, Stars 1

3rd: Phoenix took a 3-1 lead when Radim Vrbata tapped in a great pass from Keith Yandle, but Dallas kept it a one-goal game when Matt Niskanen scored his first goal of the season with a wrister from the point on the power play. However, Dallas could not take advantage of its power plays, as Ilya Bryzgalov finished with 26 saves and the win.

Phoenix 3, Stars 2