By Eric Redner
The Phanatic Magazine
Mike Modano scored the 500th goal of his NHL career to lead the Dallas Stars to a 3-2 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers at American Airlines Center.
Modano now needs only three goals to move past Joe Mullen into first place on the all-time goal-scoring list among American-born players. Jere Lehtinen and Jussi Jokinen also scored for Dallas, which has won three straight. The Stars are one of four teams fighting for the final few playoff spots in the Western Conference.
"It's an amazing feat and he is in an elite group," said Stars coach Dave Tippett of Modano. "To score that many goals and do it with one franchise means a lot to him."
Dallas goaltender Mike Smith allowed two goals on 19 shots.
Scottie Upshall and Joni Pitkanen scored for Philadelphia, which has dropped three of its last four games overall. Antero Niittymaki started in place of the tired Marty Biron and made 30 saves in the losing effort.
With the score tied 1-1, the Stars scored twice in a 34-second span midway through the final stanza and held on for the win.
After Jokinen's unassisted tally at the 9:02 mark, Modano scored his landmark goal just 34 ticks later. Jon Klemm released a slap shot from the point that was saved, but the rebound kicked loose and Modano easily put home the rebound from in close for his 15th goal of 2006-07.
"It's unfortunate that it happened against us, but it's a great milestone for a great player," said Flyers coach John Stevens.
Upshall's eighth goal of the season with 1:17 remaining in regulation brought the visitors within one. Niittymaki was pulled in favor of the extra attacker and the Flyers put pressure on Smith.
A loose puck along the right side found the stick of Upshall, who sent an off-balanced blind backhander that somehow found its way through traffic in front and into the back of the net.
Philadelphia's best chance for the equalizer came with five seconds remaining when Jeff Carter was all alone atop the crease, but the puck skipped over his stick.
The Flyers are winless in their last six games at Dallas (0-4-2).
Slick passing led to a 1-0 Dallas advantage 6:41 into the opening period. Niklas Hagman held control along the rear boards and passed behind the net to the right side for Jokinen, who then sent a quick pass into the slot for a snap shot by Lehtinen that flew past Niittymaki.
"They move the puck as good as any team in the league," said Stevens.
The Flyers knotted the score when Pitkanen was credited with his fourth goal 6:23 into the third period. His shot from the point deflected off the skate of Dallas defenseman Darryl Sydor and past Smith.
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