NHL: Dallas 5, San Jose 1

DALLAS, April 1 (UPI) -- The first hat trick of Steve Ott's career Wednesday lifted Dallas to a 5-1 decision over San Jose.

The Sharks, who had won their previous four games, saw their lead over Chicago trimmed to three points in the race for the best record in the Western Conference.

Ott ran his goal total to 19, getting his final two scores 68 seconds apart late in the second period.

That gave the Stars a 5-1 cushion and Marty Turco stopped 29 shots in one of his better efforts of the season.

Evgeni Nabokov gave up five goals on 21 shots over the first two periods and was then removed in favor of Thomas Griess.

Despite a disappointing season, the Stars defeated San Jose in four of their six meetings.