The Dallas Stars actually lost, in regulation play, to the Calgary Flames Wednesday night. They actually played a game and GOT ZERO POINTS, which is a rarity in the Western Conference playoff race.

The Blues got a point for their shootout loss at Edmonton Tuesday. The Avalanche got a point for the shootout loss to the Wild that night.

The Predators got a point for the overtime loss to the Ducks Wednesday night. So it goes on this side of the league.

The Blues keep getting points, but progressing up the ladder is difficult. Here is a quick look at their competition:

COLUMBUS: The Blue Jackets have won five of six games, with the sole loss coming at the hands of powerful Detroit. Newcomer Antoine Vermette has provided the desired offensive boost, scoring four times in six games.

Their home-and-home series against the Blues at the end of this month looms large on the schedule.

DALLAS: The injury-riddled stars lost four of their last six games outright, which is not good this time of year. Games at San Jose and at home to Vancouver become especially big.

“You’re trying to push and scrape and claw to get in there,” coach Dave Tippett told Dallas reporters. “It’s not going to be easy, but that’s what our situation is. When you’re missing this many top players, you still have to find a way to win. It’s not an excuse for not getting points, but that’s the way it is.”

MINNESOTA: The Wild just snapped a four-game losing streak. But in three of those losses, Minnesota managed to earn a single OTL or SOL point. They are in the midst of a brutal schedule stretch; five of their next six games are on the road, starting with a game at New Jersey.

NASHVILLE: Despite missing injured centers Jason Arnott and Radek Bonk, the Predators got five of a possible six points in their last three road games. Winger J.P. Dumont (14 points in 18 games) is filling their offensive void all by himself.

After playing at San Jose, the Preds return home for a critical stretch against the Ducks, Sharks and Kings.

EDMONTON: The Oilers have gotten points in seven of their last eight games. Now they head to the road for games at Colorado, Chicago and Minnesota. Road games at Phoenix and Anaheim loom later in the month.

This team needs to do better in games tied at the end of 60 minutes. The Oilers are 1-5 in overtime and 4-4 in shootouts. That’s on you, goaltender Dwayne Roloson.

ANAHEIM: The Once-Mighty Ducks have earned just five points in their first six games in March. As a result, they are on the outside of the playoffs looking in.

“We’ve dug ourselves a pretty good hole,” Old Friend Chris Pronger told reporters. “We’re the only ones who can dig ourselves out. You can’t hope for other teams to beat so-and-so on any given night. There are too many variables and too many teams vying for what essentially is turning into probably one playoff spot. We have to worry about ourselves and not worry about any help. We’re probably not going to get it.”