The Stars have talked often about keeping emotions in check, not getting too high or too low. That was the message again as they try to bounce back from Monday's tough loss in Game 3.
"We have been in this situation before, we were down 2-1 last series, we have spoken a lot in this locker room about staying even keel," said Stars defenseman Ben Lovejoy. "You win one playoff game, you feel like you can win the Stanley Cup, you can start planning your parade in your hometown. You lose one game, and it's summertime. We have talked about being even keel, knowing that you need to come out and be ready for every game.
"We played our best game of the playoffs in Game 4 against Nashville, and we need to come out and do that again (Wednesday)."
The Stars held an optional skate Tuesday at the AAC and then met as a team as they prepared for Wednesday's game, looking for ways to fix some of the issues from Game 3. Monday was the first time the Stars had allowed four goals in a game during these playoffs and just the second time that's happened in 27 games dating back through the regular season.
"I thought we gave up too much time and space in our D-zone," said Stars coach Jim Montgomery. "Give the Blues credit, they were really good in the offensive zone with their cycle play and their defensemen being very active. We gave too many chances in that department of our game. In the offensive zone, we didn't possess pucks enough because we didn't move our feet or protect the puck enough."
And now they'll move on to Game 4 -- a big one for the Stars, who can tie the series 2-2 with a win. If they don't, they'll find themselves in a difficult 3-1 hole.
"You try to see what we did last series," said Stars goaltender Ben Bishop. "Obviously, we've got to come out, and we have home ice, and fight for our lives."