Cracknell gets 1st hat trick, Stars beat reeling Sharks 6-1

Dallas Stars defenseman Greg Pateryn (29) chases the puck in front of teammate Jamie Oleksiak (5) and San Jose Sharks center Micheal Haley (38) during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Dallas, Friday, March 24, 2017. (AP Photo/LM Otero) (The Associated Press)

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Dallas Stars right wing Adam Cracknell (27) is congratulated after scoring a goal against the San Jose Sharks during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Dallas, Friday, March 24, 2017. (AP Photo/LM Otero) (The Associated Press)

Dallas Stars center Jason Spezza (90) works with the puck against San Jose Sharks right wing Joonas Donskoi (27) during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Dallas, Friday, March 24, 2017. (AP Photo/LM Otero) (The Associated Press)

DALLAS – Adam Cracknell got his first hat trick in seven NHL seasons and the Dallas Stars handed the San Jose Sharks their fifth straight loss, 6-1 on Friday night.

Cracknell opened the scoring in the first period, capped a three-goal flurry in the second and beat goalie Aaron Dell on a short-handed breakaway in the third for his career-high 10th goal of the season.

The Sharks entered two points ahead of Anaheim and Edmonton in the Pacific Division despite their longest losing streak of the season. San Jose has been outscored 16-5 during the stretch.

Brett Ritchie, Jamie Benn and John Klingberg also scored for the Stars.

Joe Thornton scored for San Jose on the power play in the second period. Dell had 23 saves.

Dallas' Kari Lehtonen made 20 saves four nights after shutting out San Jose.