DALLAS, Feb. 28 (UPI) -- The first hat trick of Niklas Hagman's NHL career Thursday led an offensive outburst that sent the Dallas Stars coasting past Chicago 7-4.
Brad Richards, obtained in a trade with Tampa Bay this week, had five assists as part of the Stars' fourth straight victory.
Richards and goaltender Johan Holmqvist came from Tampa Bay Tuesday for goaltender Mike Smith, forwards Jussi Jokinen and Jeff Halpern and a fourth-round pick in next year's draft.
Marty Turco made 25 saves for Dallas, which climbed within three points of Detroit for the top spot in the Western Conference. The Stars are eight points in front of Anaheim in the Pacific Division.
Chicago, which has lost two out of three, got two shorthanded goals from Rene Bourque.
Hagman tied it at 1-1 less than five minutes into the game, scored again 2:47 into the second to make it 3-1 and then gave Dallas a 6-2 advantage in the third. Hagman has 25 goals for the season.
