Dallas Stars

The Stars' inconsistency has been a constant issue for the first quarter of the season. Sure, it would be nice to hit on another topic more than once. But the Stars just can't seem to get on a good roll, so here we are again.

The Stars' inability to win two consecutive regulation games is one thing. But what's more alarming is how they go from one extreme in one game to the other extreme in the next.

Take the last two games, which included the Stars' 3-1 victory in Detroit on Wednesday. The Stars could do little wrong. They were clean, stylish, getting contributions from everyone.

One night later, in a 4-1 loss to Columbus at home, the Stars looked awful. Yes, they began well. But they didn't take advantage of opportunities, they started to get sloppy, they took a bad penalty and they ultimately fell apart.

No, the Stars' scheduling isn't the greatest. They had four days off, then had games on back-to-back nights. But they're not the only team that has to go through the NHL's schedule travails. And it doesn't explain the extreme outings.

Bad games are going to happen. But the Stars don't want them to start adding up like last season. They also can't afford to have them be as bad as Thursday was.

BLUE JACKETS 4, STARS 1: James Neal was called for a major boarding call on Derek Dorsett, Columbus scored two goals on that power play, and the Stars could muster little in a loss to the Jackets.

• After killing off 17 consecutive penalties their past four games, the Stars allowed the Blue Jackets three power-play goals. The Jackets' other goal was a shorthanded effort.

• The Stars are 3-3-3 at home this season. In those nine home games, the Stars have given up 25 goals.

Quote To Note:

"They scored all their goals on special teams tonight. They won that big battle. It's a game we certainly can't be proud of. We've talked about how we want to perform as a group, and that's certainly not the way."

Goaltenders:

Marty Turco, Alex Auld.

Defensemen:

Stephane Robidas, Trevor Daley, Nicklas Grossman, Karlis Skrastins, Matt Niskanen, Mark Fistric.

First Line:

James Neal, Brad Richards, Loui Eriksson.

Second Line:

Brenden Morrow, Mike Modano, Jamie Benn.

Third Line:

Steve Ott, Mike Ribeiro, Jere Lehtinen.

Fourth Line:

Krys Barch, Tom Wandell, Toby Petersen.

Player Notes:

• LW James Neal was suspended for two games for his major boarding penalty Thursday against Columbus.

• C Mike Modano seems to be getting back to form. Modano scored his third goal Thursday night, and he now has points in his last four games (3-2-5).

• LW Jamie Benn had the primary assist on Mike Modano's goal Thursday. The rookie stormed off to a hot start but has been cool lately. It was his first point since Nov. 6 against Vancouver (assist).

• G Marty Turco allowed four goals on 28 shots on Thursday. It was a rare unsuccessful outing for Turco against the Blue Jackets. He is 14-2-2 against them lifetime.

• C Warren Peters was recalled and was a healthy scratch.

Medical Watch:

• RW Fabian Brunnstrom, who injured his shoulder in a Nov. 10 practice, was placed on injured reserve on Thursday. The Stars called up C Warren Peters to fill his vacancy, but Peters was a healthy scratch Thursday night.

• C Brian Sutherby, the latest Stars player to suffer a groin injury, did not play against the Red Wings or Blue Jackets. He is day-to-day.