Dallas, TX (Sports Network) - Shane Doan's second period goal turned out to be the game-winner as the Phoenix Coyotes defeated the Dallas Stars, 2-1.

Peter Mueller lit the lamp and Ilya Bryzgalov got the win after stopping 20- of-21 shots for the Coyotes, who have won three of their last five games.

"It was a big win for us tonight and we need to find ways to win these," said Doan."

The Coyotes are in 10th place in the Western Conference, a point behind Vancouver and three in back of Nashville for the eighth and final playoff spot.

Brad Winchester scored for the Stars, who have lost two games in a row. Marty Turco allowed two goals on 16 shots and received the loss for Dallas, which has lost for only the fourth time since the All Star break.

"I think the energy and work are there but we have to be better at recognizing the kind of game we are in," said Turco.

Phoenix opened the scoring 9:26 into the first period. Zbynek Michalek passed the puck from behind the net to Mueller, who was at the left faceoff circle, and he ripped a wrist shot past Turco.

Just 59 seconds into the second period, Doan gave Phoenix a 2-0 lead after he picked up a loose puck in front of the net and blasted a slap shot that went over the shoulder of Turco.

Dallas cut the deficit to 2-1 when Toby Petersen fired a shot that was saved by Bryzgalov, but the rebound floated in the air and Winchester swatted the puck into the back of the net at the 17:38 mark of the stanza.

Only nine shots were taken in the third period and neither team was able to score. Bryzgalov saved all five shots that he faced and Turco turned away the four shots that he saw.

Dallas pulled Turco in favor of an extra attacker in the final minute of play, and Brzygalov sealed the victory by stopping Jere Lehtinen near the net in the closing seconds.