Not all .500 records are cut from the same cloth. In college football, a .500 record might get you a trip to the Belk Bowl and a contract extension. In the National Hockey League, where not all games have losers, huffing and puffing along at the .500 level in late January is more likely to spell the end of something.

But with the Stars, who rallied past Buffalo for a 4-3 win Thursday night at American Airlines Center, we just don't know what that is.

It certainly feels as though it could be the end for coach Lindy Ruff if, one year removed from being the top seed in the Western Conference playoffs, the Stars fail to qualify for the postseason for the second time in his four years. Right now this team sits in 11th place in the West. Dallas needs to work its way past Los Angeles, Calgary and Vancouver just to slip into the tournament in the opposite spot (eighth and last seed) from the one it secured last year.

If the team fails to do that, then it's unlikely that Ruff's expiring contract would be extended this summer. And if it merely sneaks into the playoffs only to make a quick exit, that might not be enough for Ruff to earn a fifth season, either.

"I think about my job every day,'' Ruff said after Thursday's win. "I'm not happy with the job I've done. We can talk about chances, but at the same time, you've got to win games in this league.''

From 109 points a year ago to whatever might be required for that last playoff spot -- something in the 86-to-90 range -- is a significant fall that cannot be attributed solely to the debilitating injuries the Stars suffered early in the season.

Too many of their best players have played too many games for that to be an all-encompassing excuse.

Patrick Sharp was their top player Thursday, scoring a pair of goals, and the only problem with that is that the press box was nearly filled with visiting scouts searching for help before the Feb. 28 deadline. Sharp, a three-time Cup winner in Chicago, would be at the top of those lists.

Of course, if anyone wants a goalie, the Stars would gladly part with either one. GM Jim Nill failed to address the team's most acute problem a year ago despite Kari Lehtonen's Game 7 reminder that he is not the answer to any question about a lengthy playoff run. Both Lehtonen and Antti Niemi, who retired to the bench after allowing two first-period goals on five shots Thursday, stand outside the league's top 35 in save percentage.

Last season, the Stars survived that sort of mediocrity in the nets because the team was so skilled offensively. But with only limited explanations as to why (forward depth reduced by injuries), that has changed in 2016-17.

Veteran Jason Spezza still sits on seven goals after scoring 33 a year ago. Even more alarming has been the puzzling and uneven play of captain Jamie Benn. His power-play goal helped the cause against the Sabres, but the man almost destined to retire as the best forward in franchise history has five even-strength goals all season. He had 22 a year ago.

Tyler Seguin's numbers are closer to what Stars fans have grown accustomed to seeing (a team-leading 47 points while playing in all 50 games), but his minus-14 is by far the worst of his career.

All of this falls back into Ruff's lap even if the degree to which he is responsible can be debated. But he knows the Stars' shortcomings ultimately will be viewed as his shortcomings.

"Special teams, that's on me,'' he said. "I don't like where our PK is at.''

The Stars' penalty killers have surrendered a league-high 44 goals. That ties last season's total with 32 games to go.

A veteran coach gets a certain number of years to prove his system -- more offensive-minded and high risk than most -- will produce its share of banners. And then it's time to move on.

This team has 32 games remaining, still plenty of time to turn the tide and climb past the Kings, Canucks and Flames. But sometime before this season's story is written, Nill must decide if his team is a buyer or seller at the trade deadline.

The Stars have hope and talent on their side. But when you hit the 50-game mark with nothing longer than a three-game win streak and a long list of veterans producing beneath expectations, hope sounds a little on the hollow side.