Dallas Skates To 4th Straight

February 17, 1999 / 11:36 PM EST / AP

The Dallas Stars keep on winning, but they're not picking up many style points from their demanding coach, Ken Hitchcock.

Jamie Langenbrunner notched the first goal in the third period and Derian Hatcher later added a power-play goal that turned into the game-winner as the Stars won their fourth straight, 2-1 over the Florida Panthers on Wednesday night.

Florida nearly tied the game with five seconds left, but Dallas goalie Roman Turek came up with a big save to preserve the victory.

"We got a lead and then we backed up," Hitchcock said. "We panicked in the last five minutes. We're having problems like this at home that will get magnified in the playoffs."

Dallas is 7-1-1 in its last nine games, but four of those victories have come by one goal and that's what has Hitchcock so concerned.

A few years ago, the Stars would have been thrilled with Wednesday's victory. But now, the team with the league's best record only seems to get excited about wins over top Stanley Cup contenders.

"A lot of these do feel like losses," said Stars center Mike Modano.

Florida fell to 1-4-2 in its last seven.

While the Stars weren't happy with the way they won, Panthers coach Terry Murray was lavish in his praise of Dallas' physical play.

"The Dallas Stars are one of the top contenders for the Stanley Cup and they are because they're willing to pay the price," Murray said. "They play well defensively. That's what we have to learn from this game."

Dallas continued to roll despite the top line of Mike Modano, Jere Lehtinen and Brett Hull failing to register a point.

"We didn't get good performances from our best players," Hitchcock said. "Is it fatigue, or is it something else?"

Langenbrunner knocked the rebound of his own shot past goalie Sean Burke with 15:11 to play for Langenbrunner's eighth goal. Burke had been unbeatable to that point, stopping Dallas' first 23 shots.

Hatcher added his eight goal on a screened slap shot with 10:31 left while the Stars were on their sixth power play of the night.

Radek Dvorak broke up Turek's shutout bid with 3:46 left on a screened shot from the point. Dvorak's ninth goal made it 2-1.

Whitney had a chance to tie when he darted into open space on the right side and blasted a shot with five seconds left, but Turek cut down the angle and made the save.

Burke finished with 27 saves, while Turek had to stop only 15 shots.

"I thought Burke could steal a point for them," Hitchcock said. "He played great. But Turek was big in the last five minutes and we needed him to be."

The Stars held the territorial edge over the first two periods, outshooting the Panthers 21-6. But Burke stopped 12 prime scoring chances and nine power-play shots to keep the game scoreless.

The Panthers were beginning an eight-game stretch during which they will face top Wesern Conference contenders Dallas, Phoenix, Colorado and Detroit.

Florida was without star right wing Pavel Bure, who missed his sixth consecutive game (strained right knee). Defenseman Bret Hedican (eye), right wing Dino Ciccarelli (back) and goalie Kirk McLean (ribs) also sat out for Florida.

Bure has been skating in Florida and is expected back soon.