Gagner scores four goals to help Dallas rout St Louis

DALLAS, Texas (Reuter): Dave Gagner scored four goals in a game for the first time in his career to lead the Dallas Stars to a 9-5 rout of the St Louis Blues on Tuesday.

Gagner added an assist to collect five points for the second time in his career as the Stars got their franchise-record 41st win and moved within one point of the Toronto Maple Leafs and third place in the Western Conference.

Dallas and Toronto each have one game remaining.

Mike Modano had a goal and two assists for the Stars, who ended a three-game winless slide. Modano reached the 50-goal mark for the first time in his career.

Gagner reached the 30-goal plateau for the sixth straight season in the midst of his fourth career hat trick.

Dallas's Paul Cavallini had a goal and four assists for a career-high five-point game.

Brendan Shanahan got his fifth career hat trick and third of the season for the Blues. Shanahan reached the 50-goal mark for the second straight season.

In Toronto, Dirk Graham scored a pair of goals to lead the Chicago Blackhawks to a 4-3 victory over the Maple Leafs.

Toronto's loss gave the Central Division title to the Detroit Red Wings. The Maple Leafs, who lead the Dallas Stars by one point, cannot finish any higher than third in the West.

At Florida, Scott Young scored two goals as the Quebec Nordiques damaged the Panthers' playoff hopes with a 5-2 win.

Florida remained one point behind the New York Islanders and eighth place in the Eastern Conference.

If the Islanders win or tie against the Tampa Bay Lightning Wednesday, the Panthers will be eliminated from the playoffs.

In New York, Brian Noonan scored early in the third period to cap a three-goal outburst as the Rangers rallied to a 3-2 victory over the Buffalo Sabres.

The Rangers battled back from a 2-0 deficit to score three times in the first 4:05 of the third period.

The Rangers have won six of their last seven games and set a franchise record for most points with 111. Results Quebec 5, Florida 2 NY Rangers 3, Buffalo 2 Philadelphia 4, New Jersey 2 Chicago 4, Toronto 3 Washington 4, Winnipeg 3 Dallas 9, St. Louis 5