DALLAS – The Vancouver Canucks may not have to worry about making another long flight to Dallas.

Trevor Linden shoveled a rebound past Marty Turco with 5:31 left in the third period and defenseman Willie Mitchell prevented a tie by sweeping a trickling puck off the goal line, giving the Canucks a 2-1 victory over the Stars on Tuesday night.

Vancouver leads the series 3-1. The Canucks can advance to the second round – and avoid a return trip to Texas – with a victory at home Thursday night.

Dallas is in jeopardy of being eliminated in a five-game, first-round series for the third straight postseason. A big part of the Stars’ problem has been an inability to win at home. This was their sixth straight home playoff loss covering those three playoffs.

AP-ES-04-17-07 2246EDT