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Coyotes visit Stars searching for consistency

Mar 5, 2008 - 1:36 PM Phoenix (33-28-5) at Dallas (41-23-5) 8:30 pm EST

DALLAS (Ticker) - If the Phoenix Coyotes are going to make the playoffs, they need to find some consistency.

The Coyotes look to bounce back from a loss on Wednesday when they visit the Dallas Stars.

Despite just a 5-4-1 record in its last 10 games, Phoenix is currently just three points behind the Vancouver Canucks, Colorado Avalanche and Nashville Predators, who are locked in a tie for the final two playoff spots with 74 points.

The Coyotes didn't help their chances on Saturday, suffering a 3-1 setback to the Calgary Flames. Shane Doan notched the only goal for Phoenix - his first in the last eight games.

The Stars are also looking to rebound from a setback on Wednesday after having a four-game win streak halted with a 3-1 loss to the Predators on Saturday.

Acquired in a blockbuster deal at the trade deadline, Brad Richards was kept off the scoresheet against Nashville after recording a career-high and franchise-record five assists in a 7-4 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks in his debut.

"The emotion, I think a bit of a letdown (Saturday) compared to the other night," the 2004 Conn Smythe trophy winner Richards said. "We hope everything works like (it did vs.) Chicago, but let's be honest with ourselves - it's not going to be like that every night.

"It's going to be a process. Whatever they're going to let me do or make me do, I'll do it. I just want to fit in, not disrupt anything."