The needle is actually moving up for the Stars.
Jason Spezza (lower body) returned from a five-game injury absence Tuesday and Cody Eakin (knee) and Patrick Sharp (concussion) could be right behind him.
Dallas is starting a four-game homestand and has 12 of the next 19 at American Airlines Center.
And this hobbled team would be in the playoffs with a 6-6-5 record if post-season started Wednesday.
But, that still doesn't make the overtime losses hurt any less. Dallas crumbled in the extra period again Tuesday, losing to New Jersey 2-1. It was the fifth overtime defeat this season and the ninth in a row for the Stars.