DALLAS (AP) -- With the playoffs approaching, the Dallas Stars are warming up to defend their Stanley Cup title.

The Stars scored five times Sunday against a team that had previously smothered them defensively this season, defeating the San Jose Sharks 5-3.

Jamie Langenbrunner had two goals and an assist, while Brett Hull scored his 608th career goal.

Dallas had managed only five goals in its first four games against San Jose this season. The Stars went 1-3 in those games.

"The guys have been playing offensive hockey more and more," said Stars goaltender Ed Belfour, playing his first home game since he was charged with assault and resisting arrest March 8. "Putting the puck in the net against a defensive team is nice to see."

Hull tied Dino Ciccarelli for 10th on the career list and is two behind his father, Bobby Hull. The Hulls are the only father-son duo with 600 or more goals.

Mike Modano had a goal and an assist and Brad Lukovich also notched a goal for Dallas, 4-1-1 over its last six games.

Langenbrunner is on a streak, scoring seven goals in his last six games. Playing on the top line with Modano and hard-working rookie left wing Brenden Morrow has helped.

"I feel good again mentally and physically," said Langenbrunner, who missed 16 games this season with injuries. "I had a tough first half of the season. Now it's time to focus on the playoffs."

The Sharks' Owen Nolan reached a new career high with his 43rd goal in the first period, then added his 44th in the second.

San Jose took a 1-0 lead at 5:55 of the first period when Nolan's shot from the left of the cage went off Belfour's leg and into the net.

But Dallas went ahead for good on first-period goals by Langenbrunner and Hull.

Langenbrunner fired a slap shot from the right circle through the pads of Sharks rookie goaltender Evgeni Nabokov while the Stars were shorthanded at 11:26. Hull sent the Stars in front at 14:04, converting Aaron Gavey's pass for his 22nd of the season.

"The shorthanded goal turned things around for them," Sharks coach Darryl Sutter said. "We wanted to get off to a good start and we did. But the other team's opportunities went in the net and ours didn't."

Dallas broke the game open with goals by Modano and Lukowich over the first 4:16 of the second period.

Modano scored his 34th on a one-timer from the slot at 1:06, and 3:10 later Lukowich made it 4-1 with his third of the season.

Nolan's shorthanded rebound at 10:14 of the second period narrowed Dallas' lead to 4-2. But the Stars restored their three-goal pad at 10:53 on Langenbrunner's power play rebound, his 17th goal of the season. He has seven goals in his last six games.

Stephane Matteau's 10th goal with 1:46 left cut Dallas' lead to 5-3.

Belfour returned to the nets Saturday in Chicago after missing five games after his arrest. He preserved a 2-2 tie with the Blackhawks, then won his 29th game of the season Sunday with a 32-save performance.

"I felt a little uneasy yesterday, but today I felt better the longer the game went on," Belfour said. "My teammates and the fans have been 100 percent supportive. They've made me feel good to be back."

Stars regulars Guy Carbonneau, Jere Lehtinen, Blake Sloan, Shawn Chambers, Grant Marshall and Brian Skrudland are still out with injuries. The Sharks were without defenseman Bryan Marchment, serving the first game of a three-game suspension.

San Jose maintains its hold on the eighth and final Western Conference playoff spot, but the Sharks have three teams chasing them as the regular season draws to a close.

"Every game is critical for us," Sharks center Mike Ricci said. "Teams are creeping up on us. Each game is like a playoff game for us."