Instant analysis: Blues at Stars, Game 2

DALLAS -- After losing Game 1 at American Airlines Center on Friday, the St. Louis Blues came back with a vengeance in the first period, scoring on their first two shots of Game 2. It went downhill from there; they allowed the Stars back into the game, with two goals in the third. Still, the Blues ultimately came out on top with a 4-3 overtime win Sunday in the Western Conference Second Round.
The Blues got goals by Patrik Berglund, Joel Edmundson and Troy Brouwer in the first period and added a power-play game-winner by David Backes on the rebound of an Alexander Steen shot at 10:58 of overtime to defeat the Stars. The series is tied at 1-1 heading to St. Louis.

What we learned: The Blues are able to slow the Stars down for periods, something they'll need to continue to do if they want to make it through this series and into the Conference Final. But they also had very few scoring chances in Game 2, managing five shots in the first period and two in the third. That's a problem, although they did rebound in overtime.
What this means for Blues: St. Louis didn't look like they were completely emotionally invested in Game 1, dealing with the hangover from their seven-game first round series against the Chicago Blackhawks. That certainly wasn't the case in the first period of Game 2. But after the Blues gained a two goal lead in the first, they didn't do much. They didn't push for the fourth goal and they didn't get it in regulation, getting outshot 13-2 in the third.

What this means for Stars: Dallas did not get a good performance out of Kari Lehtonen in Game 2; he allowed three goals on five shots in the first period. Antti Niemi relieved him to start the second and finished with 19 saves, only allowing the goal in overtime. The question will be who coach Lindy Ruff goes to for Game 3. Does he put his faith back in Lehtonen, the better goaltender in the first round, or does he lean on Niemi?
Key moment: Dallas struck first in Game 2, scoring 3:36 into the game on a goal by defenseman Alex Goligoski. But the Blues didn't allow it to stand for long, tying the game 35 seconds later. It was 4:11 of the first period, and Patrik Berglund beat Lehtonen after a give-and-go with Robby Fabbri. The score propelled the Blues to a three-goal first period.

Unsung player of the game: Fabbri has been a revelation in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, quietly being one of the Blues' best players throughout the first round and into the second. The rookie had two assists in Game 2, giving him seven points in his first nine career postseason games.
What's next: The teams head to St. Louis for Game 3 on Tuesday at Scottrade Center (9:30 p.m. ET; NBCSN, SN, TVA Sports).