from Scott Burnside of ESPN,

Not sure what is more shocking, how quickly the Toronto Maple Leafs have stepped back from the proverbial cliff at which they stood a couple of weeks ago, or the utter futility of the Dallas Stars as they are unable turn the corner on what is quickly becoming a lost season.

The Stars allowed a Tyler Bozak goal 27 seconds into Tuesday's tilt at the Air Canada Center in Toronto, and were down 3-0 just 56 seconds into the second period after Phil Kessel scored en route to a 5-3 Leafs win.

The loss marked the third straight game in which the Stars, now tied for last place in the Central Division, have allowed five goals. They rank dead last in the league in goals allowed per game.

The Leafs, meanwhile, have now won four of five since being blasted 9-2 on home ice by Nashville on Nov. 18. They have 23 goals over that span.

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