Mar 18, 2013; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Stars goalie Kari Lehtonen (32) and defenseman Brenden Dillon (4) celebrate after the game-winning goal by left wing Loui Eriksson (not pictured) against the Calgary Flames during the third period at the American Airlines Center. The Stars defeated the Flames 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

It finally happened. After three winless games at home, the Dallas Stars claimed a significant victory against the Calgary Flames last night with a final score of 4-3. The two points earned boosted the Stars in the Conference standings, to a point where consecutive wins may place the team in a formidable playoff spot as the regular season draws to a close.

In unprecedented fashion, the Stars stormed out of the locker room to kick off the game, both outshooting and outscoring the Flames for the entire first period. The Stars were up six shots on goal before Calgary had a chance on Dallas goalie Kari Lehtonen. Antoine Roussel had the first opportunity to get the Stars on the board after Dennis Wideman tripped him in his attack of the net. Roussel’s penalty shot went wide of the net and of Calgary backup goalie Joey MacDonald though, but the missed shot didn’t discourage the enlivened Stars. The onslaught of Stars goals started just minutes later, with Erik Cole giving the Stars the first, and ultimately final, lead of the game. Just two and a half minutes later, Eric Nystrom, assisted by Roussel and Lehtonen, put the Stars up 2-0. A scuffle arose after Cody Eakin clashed with Jerome Iginla to launch the first fight of the game. With only two minutes remaining in the period, Loui Ericsson launched a wrist shot at the net, giving the Stars a comfortable three-goal lead headed into the first intermission.

The comfort seemed to get the best of the Stars though, and while players continuously pelted MacDonald with shots, they also got sloppy. Halfway through the second period, Cody Eakin collided with Matt Stajan in the neutral zone, prompting an all-out brawl between the teams. Eakin was called for interference and roughing, with Reilly Smith serving his roughing time. Wideman was also called for roughing after the altercation. Shortly after the Flames went on the man advantage following the scrum, Juri Hudler flipped the puck behind Lehtonen, denying the Stars the shutout.

Just two minutes later, Jordie Benn was called for hooking, and the Flames scored again on the ensuing power play. Jay Bouwmeester slammed a backhanded shot that Lehtonen seemed to miss completely. The Stars three-goal lead had been cut to one as the teams headed to the locker rooms for the second intermission.

The first half of the third period was rather uneventful, with both teams trying to impose their wills up on each other. With eight minutes gone from the final frame, Loui Ericsson gave the Stars a bit of scoring comfort back, picking up a deflected pass from Jamie Benn he then snuck up and behind MacDonald. Only five minutes remained in the game when Calgary’s Alex Tanguay slipped behind the Stars defense and landed a backhanded shot past Lehtonen. The Flames pulled MacDonald with 1:46 remaining in the game, but the Stars wouldn’t let Calgary’s man advantage shake the confidence they had built up during the first period.

Up next for the Stars is the Colorado Avalanche, who currently sits in last place in the Western Conference. The game will begin at 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday at the Pepsi Center in Denver. The game will be broadcast on Fox Sports Southwest Plus.

UPDATE: The Dallas Stars have called up Texas Stars goalie Jack Campbell and reassigned Richard Bachman, yet again, to the Austin-based AHL team. Dallas also placed Ryan Garbutt on injured reserve due to a hand injury and stated the move was retroactive to the March 14 game against the Anaheim Ducks.

Feb 17, 2013; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Stars right wing Reilly Smith (18) watches as the puck gets by Calgary Flames defenseman Dennis Wideman (26) and goalie Joey MacDonald (35) during the game at the American Airlines Center. The Flames defeated the Stars 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

In the final game of a four-game home stand, the Stars will face the Calgary Flames for the last time in the regular season.

Not only will the outcome of tonight’s game either break or further propel what has turned into a undisputable tailspin for the Stars, it could also either change the tide for the second half of this short season, or decisively slam the playoff door shut . The two teams measure up in numerous ways, including season records with Calgary sitting at 11-11-4 and Dallas as 12-12-3, indicating tonight’s game will be gritty and intense.

Though the Flames have beaten the Stars in both of the previous meetings this season, Dallas is outperforming Calgary in some respects. Despite Saturday’s eight-goals-allowed game, the Stars are averaging 2.98 goals a game, while the Flames average 3.23. Dallas is also stronger on the penalty kill with a 82.6 percent kill rate, while Calgary sits at 76.2. The Stars are trailing the Flames in power play percentages, 18.4 percent to 20.4 percent, but if previous games are much of an indication, penalty killing will be where the Stars need to focus energy.

The return of Jamie Benn was expected to be a strong factor in Saturday’s game, but couldn’t truly be celebrated due to the outcome. Benn’s interview response post-game Saturday could be an indication of the energy he and the team as a whole will put toward ending the current string of unsuccessful home games.

Also, the Flames have struggled on the road recently, going 0-5-1 in their last six games on the road.

Either team could break open the floodgates for a strong close to this short season with a win tonight.

Flames goalie Miikka Kiprusoff will not be in goal tonight, with the anticipated arrival of his second child, and Mikael Backland will be out with a foot injury. Out for Dallas are Ryan Garbutt who’s still out with a hand injury and Aaron Rome who’s also out with a foot injury.

The puck drops at 7:30 and will be broadcast on Fox Sports Southwest Plus.