Struggling Stars travel to Islanders, aware of need for improvement

The Dallas Stars begin a four-game road trip Thursday in Elmont, N.Y., against the New York Islanders, hoping new surroundings improve their results.

The Stars (43-17-11, 97 points) were swept on their two-game homestand but still secured a Western Conference playoff spot. They fell behind 4-1 after a period Tuesday against the New Jersey Devils and could not complete the comeback in a 6-4 loss. That defeat marked three straight losses for the first time in more than two months, and coach...