St Louis (26-26-8) at Dallas (29-23-7), 8:30 pm EST

DALLAS (Ticker) -- The Dallas Stars will hope to turn around

their struggling offense and avoid a third straight loss when

they host the St. Louis Blues on Thursday.

The Stars have managed just one goal over their last two

contests, including Monday's 1-0 loss to the San Jose Sharks.

The club has not scored since Steve Ott's third-period goal

during Saturday's 3-1 setback to the Chicago Blackhawks.

It is an important stretch for Dallas, which is bidding for a

playoff spot in the tight Western Conference race. The Stars

are one of four teams tied between seventh and 10th place.

The Blues are starting to climb into the picture as well,

sitting five points behind Dallas.

St. Louis' comeback bid is being led by Chris Mason, who is

9-3-4 with a 1.63 goals-against average since January 19. Mason

made 24 saves during a 2-1 triumph over the Phoenix Coyotes on

Tuesday.

Jay McClement snapped a tie with a shorthanded goal late in the

second period for the Blues, who have allowed just eight goals

over the last six games - posting a 4-1-1 record over that

stretch.