The Dallas Stars tied the franchise record with their seventh consecutive win Monday, beating Phoenix, 2-1.

But players weren't really concerned with the fact it was the first time in 10 years the team had strung together that many victories. They were more interested with how they did it and what it means in the structure of the 2007-08 campaign.

"What's been great is that we're doing this as a team" defenseman Stephane Robidas said. "You look around and everyone is contributing. That's what's important."

Monday was another perfect example. Dallas struggled to get a puck past Phoenix goalie Ilya Bryzgalov, who finished with 42 saves. But Steve Ott came up with a big even-strength goal midway through the third period, and Mike Modano won it with a 5-on-3 power-play goal with 3:12 remaining.

Mix that with Marty Turco's fifth consecutive victory, plenty of yeoman performances throughout the lineup, and you have a pretty happy locker room.

"I think that's how you build strength in a group – by making sure that everybody is contributing and everybody takes responsibility for doing their job well," Stars coach Dave Tippett said. "If we can continue to build that feeling in our group, it just makes our group stronger and stronger, and then you never know what can happen."

The Stars know they are making it tough on their Pacific Division opponents. They pushed their record to 35-20-5 and have 75 points – the second-most in the NHL behind Detroit (87). That's a little deceptive, because the Stars have played five more games than some of their opponents. But this run of seven straight wins also has put them among the top four teams in winning percentage.

"I think you have to look at winning percentage," Turco said. "But I think we're doing pretty good there, too."

And the Stars are making this run while key defensemen Sergei Zubov (foot/groin) and Philippe Boucher (shoulder) are sidelined. That's putting the onus on the team to spread the responsibility and plug holes with strong overall play.

"From the fourth line to the D, to the goalie, it's definitely a team effort every single night," said Ott, who tied the score with a hard shot from distance that barely squeezed past Bryzgalov. "There's not one guy carrying the load – or one line anymore. It just seems to be throughout the lineup that we seem to be getting the job done."

Ott and Modano came to the rescue on a night when the top line of Brenden Morrow, Mike Ribeiro and Antti Miettinen was shut out. Modano, Ott and linemate Jere Lehtinen each contributed to the scoring, and Modano took the biggest shot of the game when he belted a one-timer for a "had-to-have" power-play goal late.

"The clock's ticking and the ice conditions aren't the best for making passes, so you just want to get some shots," Modano said.

But did the veteran feel good with the opportunity to win the game resting on his shoulders?

"With a 5-on-3, it's kind of easier," he said. "But yeah, you'd love to be the guy with the puck on your stick late in the game and be able to determine that outcome."

On a night when the Stars threw 81 shots at the net (44 on goal, 20 missed and 17 blocked), that one shot turned out to be a big one. It was a microcosm of the winning streak, as somebody stepped up and made the right play at the right time.

"Seven just kind of piles up," Tippett said. "We just look at it game by game. One of our biggest sayings all year is 'find a way to win,' and we're doing that. Seven is nice, but we want to find ways to improve."