In talking to Joe Pavelski and Ryan Suter, they're both philosophical and matter of fact on this subject. Suter said early in his career he wouldn't be able to get to sleep until 4 a.m. after a game as he replayed every mistake in his head. He said he had to learn to calm down just to survive. Pavelski's been an entertaining blend of shrugs and chuckles this season when the concerned media queries him on the latest daily emergency.
Struggles in the third period? Do better.
Power play flailing? Work harder.
Development of younger players? They'll get it.
That's what more than 1,300 games (including 162 in the playoffs) will do for you.
The point to all of this is the Stars likely aren't going to panic right now. Yes, they lost Game 1 in Calgary, 1-0. Yes, they mustered just 16 shots on goal despite having 10 minutes of power-play time. It wasn't the start they wanted.
But while the onlookers have grave concerns, the participants seem pretty okay right now. Part of the reason is they have control of the situation, and we don't. Part of the reason is they've been through this before.
The Stars lost Game 1 to Calgary back in 2020. They coughed up a 4-3 lead with three minutes left in the third period of Game 2, and you could feel hearts sink all around Dallas at that moment. But Jamie Oleksiak scored a goal in the final minute of that game, and the Stars were alive in the series with a 5-4 win.
Of course, the drama didn't end there.
The Flames won Game 3 and had a 4-3 lead in Game 4. That one was pretty much in the books until 11.9 seconds left in the third when Pavelski tied the game with the net empty at the other end. Think about that. Dallas could've been down 3-1 in the first round, but it stuck with it, didn't panic and found a way to get to the Stanley Cup Final.
Inspiring, eh?
The Stars went on to win the next three games, including a 7-3 victory in Game 6 against the Flames where Dallas trailed 3-0 in the first period. They beat Colorado in overtime in Game 7. They beat Vegas in overtime in Games 3 and 5. That was just two years ago.
Now, much has changed in that span. There are new faces who have to respond in similar fashion. Jake Oettinger sure looks like he can handle the pressure. Same with Jason Robertson and Roope Hintz. They'll figure it out.
The third period Tuesday had some bad optics, as Dallas was pushing to tie and had just three shots on goal. However, they had nine shots that missed the net, and that was the focus of head coach Rick Bowness in his postgame presser. Tyler Seguin made the right play at the right time, attempting to push a shot just inside the right post late in the game. It missed by a couple of inches. Hintz took a great pass from Pavelski in transition and shot wildly high.
If either goes in, we're talking a different feeling after that game - win or lose. But the Stars are where they are right now. That's another thing you learn about the playoffs: You can't go back. You simply have to deal with the reality in front of you, and the Stars know that.
Would they have preferred a faster start or a more efficient power play or better finish on their scoring chances? Yes. But they also know they have the ability to change the future. They know that if it takes until the final 12 seconds, they can find a way.
After all, they've done it before.
This story was not subject to the approval of the National Hockey League or Dallas Stars Hockey Club.
Mike Heikais a Senior Staff Writer for DallasStars.com and has covered the Stars since 1994. Follow him on Twitter @MikeHeika.
