It wasn't supposed to happen this way.
Not considering what happened the last time these two teams met, and certainly not considering how well the Stars have played of late - especially on the road.
But Dallas came out flat and never recovered in a 5-2 loss to the injury-depleted San Jose Sharks on Sunday at SAP Center.
The Sharks won for the fourth time in five games as they exacted a measure of revenge from a 6-0 drubbing at the hands of the Stars in Dallas on New Year's Eve.
This time, Sharks scored four goals on their first five shots, chasing Stars goalie Ben Bishop late in the first period.