NHL: Dallas 5, Vancouver 1

DALLAS, April 19 (UPI) -- Cody Eakin ignited a four-goal third period Thursday that vaulted Dallas to a 5-1 win over Vancouver.

The Stars began the evening four points behind Columbus for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference and the win moved Dallas into a tie with Detroit for the ninth position.

Dallas has won six out of seven in a late-season surge that has given them a chance at the postseason.

It was a 1-1 game heading into the third period, but Eakin, Jamie Benn and Ray Whitney all scored in the first 7:03 of the stanza to put the Stars in control. Erik Cole added a power-play goal with 1:42 left in the period.

Vancouver, which has the lead in the Northwest Division, missed a chance to clinch a playoff spot.

Kari Lehtonen made 37 saves and allowed only a first period goal to Derek Roy that gave the Canucks a 1-0 lead.

Corey Schneider allowed five goals on 30 shots.