GLENDALE, Ariz. – The Stars' franchise record for consecutive wins remains stuck on seven.

Goaltender Marty Turco will have to wait for career victory No. 200.

Everything the Stars had done so well for so long during their streak disappeared in a 5-2 loss to the Phoenix Coyotes on Thursday, from the standout goaltending to the superlative special teams.

"In this little run we had, when the power play needed a big goal, we got it," captain Brenden Morrow said. "When the goaltender needed a big save, we got it. Tonight, they kind of got those breaks. They earned them."

And the Stars didn't.

The performance was the last thing the Stars (35-21-5) needed in the tight Pacific Division race and with their next two games against Western Conference powers Anaheim and Detroit.

The Stars face the Ducks tonight to complete a two-game road trip and return home Sunday to play the Red Wings, possessors of the league's best record.

"Because we lost one game is not going to change a thing," Stars coach Dave Tippett said. "We have to play with that same desperation, whether it's tomorrow or the next day. We could win another seven in a row, and we would still be desperate for an eighth."

Even before Radim Vrbata (one goal, two assists) delivered a clinching short-handed goal in the third period, the warning signs were apparent.

The Stars were whistled for the first four penalties. Phoenix quickly capitalized when Shane Doan blistered a shot from the left circle in the first period.

It was just the third man-advantage goal allowed by the Stars' league-leading penalty kill in its last 34 chances.

"It puts you on your heels and gives the other team momentum," Tippett said of the penalties.

AP

Dallas Stars goalie Marty Turco dives but can't stop a shot by Phoenix's Niko Kapanen (upper right).

During the seven-game streak, the Stars had allowed two or fewer goals in six of those games. Phoenix had two goals by the end of the first, when Daniel Carcillo scored.

For the second consecutive game, the Stars had difficulty solving Phoenix goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov, at least when it mattered.

Skating at home Monday and with the Coyotes playing the second game of a back-to-back, the Stars were able to rally for a win despite 42 saves for Bryzgalov.

This time, a fresher Coyotes defense prevented any late comebacks.

Tippett called the overall execution "poor" and was bothered by his team's passing and inability to finish at the net.

Bryzgalov's biggest of 32 stops might have come against Mike Modano during a second-period power play with Phoenix up, 2-1.

"He made a great save on it," Modano said. "There was a lot of net to look at. It had a bit of bounce to it, so it wasn't something I could catch and release at the same time."

Hope began to fade when former Star Niko Kapanen gave Phoenix a two-goal lead late in the second period.

The Stars' power play that was clicking at 26.7 percent (8-for-30) during the streak failed to score and finished minus-1. Jere Lehtinen's pass eluded Stephane Robidas at the blue line. Vrbata claimed the loose puck and lofted a backhand over Turco to complete the breakaway for a 4-1 lead in the third period.

Turco didn't really allow any bad goals. Neither did he play like the goalie who had a 1.57 goals-against average and .943 save percentage during the streak.