DENVER – Dallas Stars captain Brenden Morrow recovered quickly from being driven into a bench post early in the third period Saturday.

His team did not.

Morrow came back with rage and fury after he hit the back of his head when he got pushed into the aluminum pole while skating at full speed. But the Stars wilted in the third period and lost, 3-1, to the Colorado Avalanche.

It was the third straight loss for Dallas and the sixth straight win for the Avalanche.

"We're kidding ourselves if we think we're going to play deep into the playoffs doing the things we're doing right now," Morrow said. "These are good games for us to show us where that level is. We need to learn how to win in these types of games.

"I don't think we're going to get an easy game the rest of the year, so we better get used to this."

With 11 games remaining in the regular season, the Stars are in a tough fight for the Pacific Division crown. If they can maintain their lead in the division (which is now one point), they get a top-three seed and home ice in the playoffs.

If they can't, they could draw San Jose or Anaheim in the first round and could start the postseason on the road.

That should be a sobering thought for a team that just last week was hoping to chase down Detroit for first place in the NHL.

"It's crunch time, and everybody is battling for a playoff spot," said defenseman Stephane Robidas, who elevated his game in some physical battles with Peter Forsberg. "Everyone is fighting for their lives, and it's almost like playoff hockey right now. And that's the mode we've got to get in. It's going to be hard, and we have to work for our goals, but that's the way it is – that's the game that's being played."

Dallas elevated its play from two previous defeats and controlled the game early on. The Stars took a 1-0 lead on an Antti Miettinen power-play goal in the first period and then milked that lead through the second period.

However, Colorado turned up the intensity in the third, and the Stars failed to follow suit.

As Morrow was driving up the left wing, Avalanche defenseman Jeff Finger shoved him into the boards and Morrow struck the back of his head violently against the post in front of the Stars bench. He had to leave the ice and looked seriously hurt for a minute or two, but he eventually returned.

Dallas received a power play because of an interference penalty on Finger but did absolutely nothing with it. And 24 seconds after the power play expired, Colorado scored when defenseman Scott Hannan was able to camp out in front of Marty Turco and flip in a backhand rebound.

AP

Colorado Avalanche goalie Jose Theodore blocks a shot by Dallas Stars right wing Jere Lehtinen.

Morrow returned to the ice and tried to inspire the Stars, but Miettinen took a hooking penalty and Andrew Brunette scored on a power play deflection for the game-winner.

"We kind of faded as the game went on," center Mike Modano said. "We're on the verge, and we're trying to create an atmosphere that is similar to the playoffs and get on that level that will take us into April."

The Stars play the Avalanche tonight at American Airlines Center and will get the opportunity to show they have another gear. Morrow said they have to bring more consistent intensity.

"We haven't really put the effort in to get the results," Morrow said. "We can make excuses and say things aren't working or the chemistry is not quite there, but I think anyone who watches can tell we're losing battles for the pucks and we're losing races, and that's what it comes down to."