Stars 2, Flyers 1
Vernon Fiddler scored the tiebreaking goal with 6:10 to play in the third period as visiting Dallas dealt another blow to Philadelphia's fading postseason hopes.
Rookie Brett Ritchie also tallied for the Stars to help goaltender Kari Lehtonen register his first career victory over the Flyers in 14 decisions (1-10-3). Lehtonen turned aside 25 shots as Dallas beat the Flyers for only the second time in 10 meetings.
Defenseman Luke Schenn netted the lone goal for Philadelphia, which absorbed its third straight defeat to further dim its flickering playoff chances. Steve Mason made 37 saves in defeat and faced a barrage of 30 shots over the final two periods.
The Flyers had allowed the opening goal in the previous four contests but ended that streak by scoring 73 seconds into the game. Schenn waited for an opening before unleashing a blast from the point that appeared to hit something on the way in.
Dallas drew even just over 10 minutes later as Curtis McKenzie threaded a pass to spring Ritchie, who beat Mason low to the glove side from in tight. The Stars dominated the second and third periods and the pressure finally paid off as Colton Sceviour broke down the right wing before sliding a pass to an onrushing Fiddler, who steered it past Mason.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Flyers D Nicklas Grossmann returned to the lineup after missing four games with a head injury but was shaken up early after taking a shot to the face. He did return. ... Stars F Cody Eakin was scratched due to disciplinary reasons while D Jason Demers sat out because of illness. ... Flyers C Vincent Lecavalier saw his goalless drought reach 22 games dating to Jan. 3.