by MIKE HEIKA, Staff Writer mheika@dallasnews.com , THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS

After a third-period breakdown en route to a 4-2 loss to the Nashville Predators at Sommet Center, Dallas received a harsh dose of reality in a confusing week.

Toronto, Florida and Nashville entered the week with some of the worst stats and records in the NHL, and yet each took points out of the Stars , who got progressively worse in the standings.

Dallas had to rally to beat last-place Toronto in overtime Wednesday, had to rally to overcome a Florida team that ranked 28th or worse in just about every statistical category Friday and then allowed three third-period goals to a Nashville team that was dead last in scoring and wasn't even averaging two goals per game.

"We got away with a point with Florida, and we got away with two points against Toronto," defenseman Stephane Robidas said, "but we've got to realize we have to get a 60-minute effort and outwork teams if we want to win consistently."

Consistency was a key word for the Stars , who seemed to have different problems in each game. They couldn't stop the opposing power play when they needed to against Toronto, and couldn't score with the man advantage when they needed to against Florida and Nashville.

They got behind early against the Panthers, then couldn't protect a 2-1 lead in the third against the Predators.

The Stars were playing their third game in four nights and were missing Marty Turco (flu-like symptoms), Mike Modano (ribs) and Jere Lehtinen (rib muscle).

Because of Turco's absence, they played backup goalie Alex Auld in back-to-back games for the first time this season. But Auld was actually better Saturday than he was Friday, and had several strong saves in the third period. The Stars just got caught in too many mistakes.

"I think it's important that we don't get caught in the rut where bad habits are costing us," Auld said. "I think we got away with it some games and got some points, but you have to follow good habits and do the right thing."

Stars coach Marc Crawford said while the team is testing its depth and fitness, players need to understand how to play smart in back-to-back situations.

"I understand that not everybody is going to feel 100 percent, but when you don't feel 100 percent, you have to know the certain things you have to do all of the time," Crawford said. "That involves protecting the puck, putting it in good areas, and then when you don't have it, defending the real good areas. Those are things we know, and we recognize and we'll work on."

If th week shows anything, it's that the Stars have things to work on. Dallas is 6-3-5 for 17 points in 14 games and has another three-day break to rest and reflect. But they face a much tougher run with Calgary and Vancouver coming into town.

"I think we need consistency," Robidas said. "You look at the games and there are points when we don't play well. It's consistency, and it's something we can correct.

"We can't focus on outskilling teams. We have to outwork them. If we do that, I like our chances."

DALLAS 1 1 0 - 2

NASHVILLE 1 0 3 - 4

FIRST PERIOD-1, Dallas, Ott 2 (Neal, Richards), 3:31 (pp). 2, Nashville, Weber 5 (Dumont), 12:44 (pp). Penalties-Dumont, Nas (hooking), 3:00; Fistric, Dal, served by Benn (roughing, interference), 12:03; Smithson, Nas (roughing), 12:03.

SECOND PERIOD-3, Dallas, Sutherby 4 (Wandell, Brunnstrom), 2:15. Penalties-Mi.Santorelli, Nas (holding), 6:29; Klein, Nas (tripping), 15:13; Scatchard, Nas (high-sticking), 16:24; Brunnstrom, Dal (hooking), 18:07.

THIRD PERIOD-4, Nashville, Sullivan 2 (Dumont, Hamhuis), 3:17. 5, Nashville, Hornqvist 3 (Legwand, Hamhuis), 10:59. 6, Nashville, Klein 1 (Ward, Mi.Santorelli), 11:42. Penalties-Morrow, Dal (cross-checking), 10:59; Hamhuis, Nas (roughing), 10:59; Goc, Nas (tripping), 12:46; Morrow, Dal (roughing), 19:30.

SHOTS ON GOAL-Dallas 6-15-8-29. Nashville 12-8-13-33.

POWER PLAYS--Dallas 1 of 5; Nashville 1 of 3.

GOALIES-Dallas, Auld 2-1-2 (33 shots-29 saves). Nashville, Rinne 4-3-0 (29-27).

A-12,520 (17,113). T-2:21.

Copyright 2009 THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS
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