TORONTO, Dec. 23 (UPI) -- The Dallas Stars rode rookie James Neal's first NHL hat trick to an 8-2 thrashing of the Toronto Maple Leafs Tuesday.
The Stars also got a goal and an assist from Steve Ott, Mike Ribeiro and Fabian Brunnstrom in their best offensive performance of the season. Marty Turco made 20 saves for Dallas, which has won three of four.
Toronto's goals were scored by Jason Blake and Mikhail Grabovski.
For the Leafs, it was the most goals they've given up this season. Starting goalie Vesa Toskala started gave up seven goals on 27 shots before being yanked in favor of Curtis Joseph, who stopped 9-of-10 shots.
Dallas soared to a 4-0 lead with 5:28 left in the first period and led 7-0 before Toronto's Blake scored with 4:27 left in the second period.
