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Dallas Stars’ Matt Duchene (95) reacts as the New York Islanders celebrate a goal by Bo Horvat during the first period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, March 26, 2026, in Elmont, N.Y.<\/p>\n
Frank Franklin II\/AP<\/p>\n
Dallas Stars left wing Adam Erne (73) is tripped up by New Jersey Devils right wing Timo Meier (28) during the first period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, March 24, 2026, in Dallas.<\/p>\n
Julio Cortez\/AP<\/p>\n
Dallas Stars goaltender Casey DeSmith flips a bottle as he prepares to take over goaltender Jake Oettinger at their net during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the New Jersey Devils Tuesday, March 24, 2026, in Dallas.<\/p>\n
Julio Cortez\/AP<\/p>\n
NEW YORK (AP) \u2014 Losing for the fifth time in six games and a fourth in a row sent the Dallas Stars into an introspective mode. They controlled the puck and the play for long stretches in New York against the Islanders but came away with nothing to show for it in a 2-1 loss.<\/p>\n
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\u201cWe\u2019re trying to work hard for the end goal,\u201d forward Colin Blackwell said. \u201cAnd every team, especially on this road trip, is fighting for their playoff lives \u2014 including us.\u201d<\/p>\n
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Dallas was one of the first two teams to clinch a playoff spot, but that does not mean things are rosy right now. This stretch has exposed some holes in their play, and the final 10 games of the regular season is all about solving those problems before the first round begins the weekend of April 18.<\/p>\n
“We\u2019ve got another level, and we need to find it,” first-year coach Glen Gulutzan said. \u201cThere\u2019s a natural little dip sometimes when you see that \u2018X\u2019 beside your name. … We\u2019ve got to get out of our lull a little bit because there\u2019s no light switch when you go into the playoffs that you can just turn it on and start playing good. You want to make sure you\u2019re ironing out all the kinks now.\u201d<\/p>\n Right direction<\/p>\n Losing to the Islanders on Thursday when opposing goaltender Ilya Sorokin put on a show was a major improvement from Tuesday night, when the Stars let out-of-contention New Jersey score four times in the first period of a 6-4 loss. Gulutzan wasn’t happy \u2014 there was a series of turnovers at one point \u2014 but he acknowledged his team was \u201cmoving in the right direction.\u201d<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n That is mostly because it doesn’t get much worse than how loosely the Stars played defensively against the Devils.<\/p>\n “Defensively, for sure, a lot better,” defenseman Esa Lindell said. “Just got to find ways to score.”<\/p>\n Dallas is missing injured winger Mikko Rantanen and center Roope Hintz, and the puck has not been going in the net. Over this stretch, Dallas has scored two goals a game, third worst in the league.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Tight-checking, low-scoring hockey is around the corner when the playoffs begin, and players understand the need to adapt their approach.<\/p>\n \u201cWe can maybe do a little bit better job of getting to the dirty areas and making sure (the opposing goaltender) doesn\u2019t see a lot of the shots that are coming through,\u201d Blackwell said.<\/p>\n Handling adversity<\/p>\n This isn’t the Stars’ longest skid this season. That was a six-gamer that began in late December and by mid-January devolved into a run of 10 losses in 12 games.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n A year ago, they lost seven in a row going into the playoffs before reaching the Western Conference Final for a third consecutive spring. All in all, the core group is used to this.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s the basic highs and lows,\u201d Lindell said. \u201cIt\u2019s a little low right now for us, and just trying to stay neutral either way you\u2019re going and just keep working and create chances, play good defensively. That basic stuff, that helps and it will for sure turn around.\u201d<\/p>\n Integrating trade deadline pickups Tyler Myers and Michael Bunting has been a challenge. Bunting was a healthy scratch at New York, and Gulutzan acknowledged Rantanen’s return will change the lineup even more.<\/p>\n Being locked into an almost-certain first-round matchup with Minnesota gives Gulutzan and the team a little breathing room. But with the Wild right on their heels with the chance to steal home ice advantage in what should be a rugged series with very little margin for error, there is reason for urgency down the stretch.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n “Every day, you can find something new to improve on,” captain Jamie Benn said. “There\u2019s points out there that we need to get. We\u2019re not perfect by any means right now.”<\/p>\n<\/a>
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