Today on FOX Sports Arizona: Coyotes vs. Stars, 6:30 p.m.

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GameTrax: Stats and more

By JEFF BARTL


STATS Writer

Brad Richards remained with the Dallas Stars as the trade deadline passed Monday, but his return to the lineup is still in doubt as the team fights for a playoff spot in the tight Western Conference race.

The Phoenix Coyotes hope their deadline deal gave them the necessary components to make a deep postseason run.

The Pacific Division foes face off Tuesday night in Phoenix separated by only four points in the standings.

Rumors swirled that Dallas (33-23-6) shopped Richards, who will be an unrestricted free agent July 1, before the trade deadline. General manager Joe Nieuwendyk said he's looking forward to Richards helping the Stars reach the playoffs for the first time since the 10-year veteran was acquired from Tampa at the deadline during the 2007-08 season.

"I believe in this group and I'm about winning right now and making the playoffs," Nieuwendyk told the team's official website. "I think that is very important for this franchise and I think Brad Richards gives us the best chance of doing that."

However, Richards isn't expected to make the trip to Phoenix while still recovering from a head injury suffered Feb. 13. He could join the Stars at some point during their three-game swing through California from March 4-7.

"It would be different if we were home, but with the road trip, it might be better to stay here the first part of the trip and try to get some more work in here than traveling and trying to find ice and all that stuff," Richards said.

Dallas has won two straight after losing nine of 10, beating Nashville 3-2 on Saturday. Recent acquisition Alex Goligoski scored his first goal in three games with the Stars and assisted on Loui Eriksson's go-ahead goal in the third period.

"You could see where Goligoski's speed and ability to join the rush just adds creativity to your offensive game, when you can create an outnumbering chance, and he knows what to do with the puck," coach Marc Crawford said.

The Coyotes (33-21-10) made a deal of their own Monday, trading forward Scottie Upshall and defenseman Sami Lepisto to Columbus for defenseman Rostislav Klesla.

With Ed Jovanovski still recovering form an orbital-bone fracture, Phoenix needed to add size on the blue line, which the 6-foot-3, 220-pound Klesla provides.

"When Ed Jovanovski got injured, we felt very vulnerable on our blue line, especially in the defensive-matchup, penalty-killing role," GM Don Maloney said. "We searched for what we hoped was a top-four defenseman who could match up against good players."

Phoenix allowed two power-play goals in three chances to Chicago in a 4-3 shootout loss Sunday. It was the third straight defeat for the Coyotes following an eight-game winning streak.

"Just for us to get one point out of that game, being down, it's a big moral victory for us," said defenseman Keith Yandle, who had a goal and an assist.

Phoenix has won the last three meetings this season after Dallas' 6-3 victory Nov. 5. Richards has three goals and two assists in the four matchups, while Yandle has a goal and four assists.

The Coyotes have won five of the last six meetings at home.