The Stars have been handed a lot of second chances by a weak Western Conference this season, but this six-game homestand might really be the last big one.
The two wild-card playoff spots in the West are on track for about 89 points, and six teams are fighting to be in that race. To get to 89 points, the Stars would have to earn an average of 1.40 points per game out of their final 35 games of the regular season.
The Stars said before New Year's Eve that they needed to make a surge in the standings, but they have responded with a 3-6-1 record.