5 takeaways: Typical Stars-Preds game features low scoring, tight defense

Regardless of the outcome, you knew there was going to be movement in the standings following the Stars-Predators game. Unfortunately for Dallas, a 2-1 loss to Nashville meant the Predators jumped ahead of them in the standings.

With the loss, the Stars are now in the second wild card, one point behind the Predators. They're two points behind Minnesota for third in the Central and four points behind St. Louis for second place.
Here are the five takeaways of the game.

STARS LET ONE SLIP AWAY

It was an unfortunate end to an otherwise solid road game in a tough building for the Stars, who held the Predators off the scoreboard until the final seven minutes of regulation.
Bridgestone Arena continues to haunt the Stars, who have gone 1-1-5 in their past seven games and 4-2-5 in their previous 11.
A win would've been huge, but the Stars still took two of three on the road. They'll have time to regroup and refocus for Saturday's game against the New York Rangers at American Airlines Center.

GOTTA FINISH YOUR CHANCES

Had Michael Raffl scored on his breakaway in the third, it would've given the Stars a 2-0 lead and a huge shift in momentum. Who knows what the outcome would've been had he scored?
Instead, Raffl came up empty, and the Predators scored on the rush the other way to tie it up. That's a huge turning point in the game.

GREAT SAVE, LINDELL

In a scoreless tie midway through the first period, Esa Lindell made a terrific save on a wide-open chance for Luke Kunin. It came off a bad turnover in the slot that landed on Mikael Granlund's stick.
Instead of shooting, Granlund sent a pass over to Kunin, alone with a gaping net in front of him, and that's when Lindell slid over to the rescue. It was one of 16 blocked shots for the Stars.

TIGHT CHECKING, NO ROOM

Both teams stymied each other through the first two periods of play at Bridgestone Arena. It had the look and feel of a playoff game in terms of how tightly each team was defending.
Open ice was simply not an option. Therefore, rush chances were few and far between.

KLINGBERG GETS ON THE BOARD

John Klingberg's point shot 32 seconds into the third period finally broke the goose egg from either side.

Not only was it a big goal for the team at the time, but it was also huge for him. It marked just his second goal of the season, and his first in regulation.
If he can start finding the back of the net more often, that'll be huge for the Stars down the stretch.
Don't miss the Stars as they return home to take on the New York Rangers on Saturday at 7 p.m. Get your tickets now!
This story was not subject to the approval of the National Hockey League or Dallas Stars Hockey Club.
Kyle Shohara is the Digital Manager for DallasStars.com and writes about the Stars/NHL. Follow him on Twitter @kyleshohara.