from Mike Heika of the Dallas Morning News,

The blinders are off for the Stars and now they see who they're running against.

Like a thoroughbred squaring off against a triple-crown champion, the Stars are halfway through the battle that is the 2015-16 season and they know now it's going to be a heck of a horse race.

The Stars no longer are in first place in the Western Conference. The Chicago Blackhawks have won 10 games in a row and have 64 points. The Stars are 1-4-1 in 2016 and looking incredibly mortal, despite their 62 points.

"The whole league is in playoff mode, except us," Stars coach Lindy Ruff said. "This is a desperate time for a lot of teams."

Friday's 4-2 loss was just another painful night for Stars fans. Facing the lowest scoring team in the NHL -- the Anaheim Ducks -- Dallas allowed four goals in the first period. That's twice what the Ducks have been averaging in an entire game (1.90). It was confusing, frustrating, embarrassing...all of the ings.

It was frightening, really.

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Below, watch the game highlights plus see how Daryl Reaugh feels about the game...