"We know we have to play better and address some of the stuff going on in our game," said Stars defenseman Philippe Boucher. "It's nowhere near what we're going to show our fans come playoff time."

Said Stars captain Brenden Morrow: "We're not real happy with our effort. It's Game 81, we'd better find something else in the tank because that wasn't good tonight."

Stars coach Dave Tippett praised the team's work ethic.

"I thought we had a lot of people who worked awful hard tonight," Tippett said. "If your base is about work and determination, we can work on that every day and doesn't matter who is in the lineup."

"Regardless of the schedule and injuries, we have to battle," said forward Stu Barnes said.

In the end, the Stars couldn't find a way to get two points against the Phoenix Coyotes and guaranteed themselves the fifth seed in the playoffs and a trip to Anaheim next week to start the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

While the effort was there, the execution and finish at times were not. The Stars had some good chances, but could only get two pucks past Phoenix goalie Mikael Tellqvist, who won for the first time since February 18.

"We had some bouncing pucks and not finishing off plays," said Tippett.

The Stars didn't give the Coyotes much at the other end, but what they gave was prime scoring opportunity.  Phoenix's second and third goals game came on breakaways.

"We didn't allow a lot of chances, but we shouldn't be giving up breakaways," said Tippett. "That's the bottom line."

And the Stars are walking a fine line as they try to get people healthy, their game in order and battle for playoff position all at the same time. The position is now set, but the other two areas are still a work in progress and need to be in order by next week.

"You've got to look at the big picture. We want to be healthy going into the playoffs, but you also want to be playing well," said Boucher. "We still had a chance at home ice. Obviously we know we are going to start in Anaheim. We know we have to play better."