Stars-Coyotes: Dallas' Winning Streak Dries Up in Phoenix

Going for a season high and franchise-record eighth consecutive victory, the Dallas Stars instead suffered a heart breaker.

As a huge Dallas fan, I was greatly disappointed with the loss.

But from a standpoint of knowing a very inspired hockey team to one that was taking the night off, the Phoenix Coyotes flat-out outplayed the Stars.

Phoenix drew the first four power play opportunities of the game, and looked just a step quicker. They were getting to all of the loose pucks, and playing great, mistake-free hockey.

Meanwhile, the struggling Illa Bryzgalov turned in a stellar performance against the Stars. With the score still very tight midway through the game and Dallas getting another man advantage after a fizzled first power play chance, Bryzgalov came up with some mastadonic saves. Mike Modano blasted a onetimer from the high slot off Bryzgalov's blocker. Jere Lehtinen had a gaping open net, but was stoned by Bryzgalov, who swiped the puck away with great ease.

With the period coming to a close, former Dallas Star Nikko Kapanen Received a great pass from teammate Weller to close the second period with a two-goal Phoenix advantage.

At the 5:22 mark, Dallas finally showed some good strong energy and got their power play chance. But Shane Doan and Radim Vrbata had other plans. Vrbata received a slick feed from Doan—capitalizing on a Jere Lehtinen-Stephan Robidas mix-up—put a world-class move on Marty Turco, and all but salted the game away.

All in all, it was a great win for the Coyotes, who are still in the playoff hunt.

I don't believe either coach was happy with their teams after the game. While Phoenix won, their style of play greatly changed during the third period, when they went into a nutshell while Dallas was in full assault mode.

Phoenix won the game, yes—but when you go to that style of play, I don't care if you're the great Detroit Red Wings. You play like that, and it could cost you.