• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

Stars look to improve playoff standing against Coyotes

Apr 3, 2008 - 4:25 PM Dallas (43-29-7) at Phoenix (37-36-6) 10:00 pm EDT

GLENDALE, Arizona (Ticker) - The Dallas Stars already have clinched a postseason berth.

The club tries to improve its standing in the Western Conference on Thursday when it visits the Phoenix Coyotes.

Dallas (43-29-7) is currently tied with the Colorado Avalanche (43-31-7) for fifth place in the Western Conference at 93 points.

However, the Stars have three games remaining while the Avalanche conclude their regular season against the Minnesota Wild on Sunday.

The Stars won't crack the top three seeds in the West, which are awarded to division winners, but still have an outside shot at sneaking past the Anaheim Ducks (45-27-8), who currently occupy fourth place with 98 points.

The Ducks prevented Dallas from picking up a full two points on Sunday. Mike Modano and Niklas Hagman each scored for the Stars, but it wasn't enough as they suffered a 3-2 shootout setback to the defending Stanley Cup champions.

Phoenix endured a 3-1 loss to the San Jose Sharks on Sunday, falling to 1-6-1 during its last eight games.

The Coyotes, who have been eliminated from playoff contention as a result of their recent slide, haven't qualified for the postseason since the 2001-02 season.