Wednesday in the NHL | The Stars defeat the Wild 4-1

Jamie Benn takes part in a Stars victory

Jamie Benn scored the game’s first goal 23 seconds into the second half of his 1001^e career game, and the Dallas Stars defeated the Minnesota Wild 4-1 on Wednesday night.

The 20^e The Stars captain’s goal of the season, following a perfect pass from 19-year-old rookie Wyatt Johnston, launched the Stars to a three-goal second period for the Western Conference leaders.

Radek Faksa, using a one-timer on a 2-on-1 push with Tyler Seguin, scored five minutes later. Then Jani Hakanpaa deflected a shot from Roope Hintz halfway through the engagement.

Joel Eriksson Ek, on the power play, had the Wild’s only goal late in the second period.

Hintz added an empty-netter with 2:11 remaining in the third period. This was his 22^e of the season.

Jason Robertson added two assists.

Goalkeeper Jake Oettinger made 38 saves.

Schuyler Dixon, Associated Press

Kreider and Chytil power Rangers to win

Chris Kreider and Filip Chytil helped the New York Rangers get off to a good start in the first period, and they held on to eventually defeat the Vancouver Canucks 4-3 on Wednesday night.

Alexis Lafrenière and Mika Zibanejad also hit the mark for Rangers, who posted a third straight win. Rangers have also won four games in a row in front of home fans and 11 of their last 14 at home.

In the win, K’Andre Miller had three assists, Jacob Trouba two, while goaltender Igor Shesterkin stopped 22 shots.

Conor Garland, Vasily Podkolzin and Elias Pettersson netted for the Canucks. Defenseman Quinn Hughes had two assists and Spencer Martin finished the game with 17 saves.

The Rangers are 18-4-3 since Dec. 5. For their part, the Canucks have posted a 4-12-1 record since Dec. 27.

Allan Kreda, Associated Press