In the Western Conference, the margin for error is small. Prior to the Stars' 1-0 win over Buffalo on Wednesday night, eight teams were packed within six points of each other, jostling for three available playoff berths.
The season offers fewer attempts to hide mistakes after the All-Star break, and Wednesday night gave the Stars an opportunity to gain two points on every team in the Western Conference. Turns out the margin of error Wednesday night was pretty small, too.
Jamie Benn scored the game's only goal in the first period, burying a feed from Taylor Fedun after a Sabres giveaway in the Buffalo zone.