There's no better cure for trials of Stars' season than winning

DALLAS -- The irony was perfectly timed Saturday night.
As I was asking Joe Pavelski a "silly question" on the topic of whether or not winning makes it easier to handle all of the challenges of this torturous season, a few objects came flying out of the crowd that Pavelski caught and disposed of.

Defenseman John Klingberg and communications guru Tom Holy were in the media room, so the list of suspects is pretty short, but the key to the momentary peek behind the scenes was the fact it was organic and genuine.
Yes ... winning is somuch better than losing, to paraphrase the great Ebby Calvin LaLoosh. It was an obvious statement in the film "Bull Durham," and that's why the question was a little silly. But in my defense, the timing was pretty good, and the answer was physically imprinted in the smile on Pavelski's face after he dealt with his buddies' hijinks.
The Stars were having fun again. Klingberg took a jab at Esa Lindell when asked about his teammate's skill level after scoring a goal. Lindell gave it right back when it was his turn to answer questions. You can do that when you reel off wins by scores of 4-1 and 5-1. You can do that when you are on a 4-0-2 run. You can do that when you move into fourth place in the Central Division in terms of points percentage.

You can genuinely enjoy this beautiful game that you have "played" since you were children.
Because that's how powerful winning is.
We've spent a lot of this season talking about the difficulties presented by the protocols needed to deal with the COVID pandemic. We've spent a lot of this season talking about the eight cancelled games and how they have to be shoehorned into the existing schedule. We've talked a lot about the long list of injuries that have taken away some pretty good players.
And the wear of those questions is often shown on the faces of the players and coaches, it's heard in the tone of their voice, and even seen in their body language after another shootout loss. As much as those 12 "loser's points" are helping the Stars stay in the pursuit of a post-season pass, they are indeed heavy millstones when they are loaded onto your back.
Dallas has had to explain a loss 26 times in their 43 games this season -- and you could feel the pain from the players who were talking. There wasn't half a glass of water there filled with some sort of pride or happiness. There was only an empty vessel filled with frustration and wanting.

That's what losing is in pro sports. Sure, you can manage it when you have a nice cushion and you know that there will be future opportunities to prove yourself. It's not even that bad if you know you're out of the playoffs and looking more long-term at your future.
But when you are pouring all of your emotion and energy into winning one game -- one silly, stupid game -- then it really does hurt to lose. Because, to you, the game isn't silly or stupid. To you, it's pretty much what you're living for.
Rick Bowness was asked earlier if he finds time for breaks during this insane schedule, if he finds time to get away from the game, and he replied simply -- no. He said the game consumes him 24 hours a day and that while you can try to get your mind off of hockey, the icy temptress usually weasels her way back in.
The problem is that when those thoughts are negative, they can fester. Why didn't I make that line change earlier? Why did I try that pass through the neutral zone? How did I not see that shot coming at me? Every moment of the game becomes worthy of dissection, every mistake becomes something to brood over.
And that's why it can be tough when you're losing. As much as you want to do the right thing, much of your thinking is negative. Don't make a mistake, don't take a risk, don't be the guy who costs you two points. It's natural. Jason Dickinson was talking about linemate Denis Gurianov the other morning and said that Gurianov is very hard on himself.

And then he admitted that he suffers the same affliction.
It's probably a trait of many pro athletes. If you're a bit of a perfectionist, it helps drive you. If you're bothered by your own mistakes, it likely means they won't be repeated. And that can be hard to live with when you're losing.
So by getting a few wins, making a few good plays, it can be like oxygen. Beating Columbus -- no matter how much the Blue Jackets are struggling -- is a huge gulp of fresh air. Scoring nine goals in two games, it's a massive boost in positivity. Seeing the standings and knowing you have a legitimate chance to make a run at the playoffs, that's … well … fun.
"It gives you a boost, that's exactly what it does," Bowness said. "I think we are going on 11 weeks of four games every six days, so any boost of energy where you can feel good about yourself helps you."
In a perfect world, the Stars can keep this rolling. In a perfect world, winning begets winning.

The team the Stars are chasing right now -- Nashville -- had its own torture earlier in the year, as losing and a long list of injuries had management pondering a teardown. But before the trade deadline, the Predators found something special and went on a 13-3-0 run. Their chakras were open and aligned and the belief became contagious.
They rode the wave, and it carried them to a new place, both in the standings and in their minds. Now, the question is whether they can maintain that happiness after a couple of losses. It will be worth watching for fans of the sport, and for those who study the beautiful labyrinth that is the human mind.
After Pavelski handled the silliness of his childish pals Saturday, he focused and answered the silly question.
"You get some momentum going, and guys feel good," he said. "Playing with confidence and with one or two goals feels nice. The biggest thing is we've got to keep taking care of our business, and that's what we have been able to do, I think. The energy has been good."
And good energy can go a long way in a season that has been filled with plenty of bad.

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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, and listen to his podcast.