The National Hockey League's Dallas Stars are one game away from eliminating the Anaheim Ducks from the playoffs after beating the defending Stanley Cup champions 3-1.

Stu Barnes and Steve Ott scored third period goals Thursday to help the Stars take a three-to-one-game lead in their best-of-seven Western Conference first-round series.

Also in the West, the San Jose Sharks edged the Calgary Flames 4-3 for a three-games-to-two series lead.

The Colorado Avalanche scored twice in 79 seconds in the third period to stun the Minnesota Wild 3-2. Colorado enjoys a 3-2 game series lead.

In the Eastern Conference, the Philadelphia Flyers posted a dramatic 4-3 double overtime win over the Washington Capitals. Philadelphia leads that seven-game series 3-1.

The Boston Bruins fought off elimination with a 5-1 thumping of the Montreal Canadiens. Montreal leads the series three-games-to-two.