EDMONTON, Alberta _ Just when you think the Stars' season couldn't get worse, they outright stun you.
Coming off an embarrassing loss in San Jose Sunday that spurred an impromptu on-ice meeting and vows of season-ending dedication, Dallas played its worst game of the season Tuesday in a 7-1 loss to the Oilers.
It was a clinic of missed details, poor goaltending and blown scoring chances. Dallas allowed at least five goals for the third straight game and used both goalies for the third straight game.
The Stars have used both goalies in 13 games this season, most in the NHL. They have allowed 227 goals, most in the NHL. They have the worst save percentage, the worst penalty kill, and have now tied Arizona for second worst road record at 9-20-4.
Dallas (27-32-10) sits 13 points behind St. Louis for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference with 13 games remaining and are simply dragging toward mathematical elimination. With 26 points still available, that elimination day still is in the offing, but it is drawing closer each game.
The game Tuesday followed a familiar script, as Dallas made detailed mistake after detailed mistake en route to a 3-0 deficit. First, Jamie Oleksiak broke his stick in the offensive zone and then missed an opportunity to get a stick from the bench as he retreated into the defensive zone. He then was standing helplessly in front of Antti Niemi when Benoit Pouliot blasted a shot through a crowd for a 1-0 lead.
Dallas then tried to get that back, and Jason Spezza coughed up the puck to Connor McDavid, who went on the counter-attack and drew a penalty. A minute into the ensuing penalty, Oscar Klefbom blasted a shot in against the league's worst penalty kill.
The Stars came out in the second period looking to close the gap, and Matt Benning bowled over Devin Shore near the bench. While Dallas players tried to get in a scrum, Darnell Nurse skated the puck out of the pile, turned up ice and put a shot past a befuddled Niemi for a 3-0 lead.
It was a hat trick of mistakes that the struggling Oilers happily accepted. Edmonton stops a three-game losing streak and moves to 35-24-9. Edmonton, once a sure win for the Stars, won two games in the season series against Dallas for the first time in the past seven seasons.
Dallas falls to 18-4-4 in its past 26 meetings with the Oilers.
And the fun doesn't stop there. The Stars continue on this four-game road trip with games Thursday at Vancouver and Friday at Calgary. They then play two of three at home, and head back out on the road for five games.
It is a daunting task, and one in which the effort, focus and execution will have to be significantly better. Or things will get even worse.
