After winning the Central Division during a 109-point campaign last season, the Dallas Stars have no more than an outside chance at returning to the playoffs.
Getting there won't be easy.
With opportunities to move up in the Western Conference dwindling, the Stars start a road-heavy schedule Sunday night against the Pacific Division-leading San Jose Sharks.
Thanks to a quirk in the schedule, the Stars (27-30-10) and Sharks (40-20-7) haven't met this season.
"It is weird (that we haven't played them yet)," Stars coach Lindy Ruff told the team's official website.