For the Stars, there is no putting Humpty Dumpty back together again. The fall has been too damaging.

The Stars' two-week plunge down the Western Conference standings continued Thursday night with a deflating 2-1 loss to the Calgary Flames before an announced crowd of 17,106 at American Airlines Center.

The loss leaves the Stars gasping for air in the Western Conference playoff race. Though they're still mathematically alive, the Stars would have to win out and still receive much help.

Eighth-place Nashville (38-31-8, 84 points) can eliminate the 12th-place Stars (34-34-10) from playoff contention with a win tonight at Chicago. The Stars trail Nashville by six points with four games left, and Nashville.

"The process of the whole season's been frustrating and very disappointing," Stars center Mike Modano said. "There was never really anything too consistent."

Calgary (44-27-6, 94 points) clinched a playoff spot with the win. It is in a battle with Vancouver and Chicago for home ice. Craig Conroy scored the game winner on a deflection from the right circle off a blast from Dion Phaneuf from just inside the blue line at the 12:21 mark of the second period.

The puck shot through a crowd, including Calgary's Curtis Glencross and David Moss in front of the net, before getting past Stars goalie Marty Turco.

Fabian Brunnstrom gave the Stars a 1-0 lead at the 3:02 mark of the first period on a backhand past Miikka Kiprusoff for his first goal since Feb. 19.

"I just want to be in the playoffs," Brunnstrom said. "It's hard not to be."

Calgary tied the score at the 10:40 mark of the first period on Jarome Iginla's 33rd goal. Iginla ripped a shot from the left circle that clanged off the right post. The puck trickled in behind Turco, who backed into it and knocked it into the net.

After a fast start, the Stars fell flat again with an inexperienced lineup. Nine players, worth $26 million on the payroll, missed the game because of injuries.

The Stars struggled on the power play again, failing to score on three chances. The Stars, who had just ended a seven-game winless streak Tuesday night at Los Angeles, fell to 1-6-2 in their last nine games.

"You hate losing. Until you're mathematically out, you keep pushing," Stars coach Dave Tippett said. "Your percentages aren't good, but you still have to show up every day and try to will yourself in there."

Fistric, Sutherby not ready: Injured Stars defenseman Mark Fistric and center Brian Sutherby skated with the team Thursday morning and said they've improved and could return to the lineup as early as Saturday night for the team's home finale against St. Louis.

Sutherby has a strained oblique muscle on his left side. Fistric has an injured left pectoral muscle. Both said they're fine when shooting, passing or skating, but taking contact is still a problem.