Pavelski surpasses Ovechkin, Crosby in career playoff goals

Momentum is real.

Doubt is real.

Belief is real.

The Stars will find out how real pretty quickly.

After getting down 3-0 to the Vegas Golden Knights in a best-of-seven Western Conference Final, Dallas is trying to claw back and make history. They had a good start with a 3-2 overtime win on Thursday in Game 4, and now they have to push forward and continue to do the unlikely. Creating their own belief and instilling doubt will be a significant portion of that mission.

"We'll see where this goes," said veteran Joe Pavelski after he scored the game-winner in overtime. "We're excited about tonight and we'll get some rest. We'll look to do it again and keep trying to put a little doubt in their minds."

Pavelski knows a thing or two about that doubt. He was a member of the San Jose Sharks team who blew a 3-0 lead to the Los Angeles Kings in 2014. That's the fourth and last time an NHL team has overcome a 3-0 deficit, and Pavelski said he understands how it could happen.

"They're not fun when you're on the other side," Pavelski said. "You never think it can happen, but guys are competing. They won a game in overtime against us, there were a couple of tight games. You don't want to be in that situation, but when you're on the other side, you understand that it can happen. It's happened before."

Understanding the mental challenge is huge. There is a physical side to being a professional athlete and whether that's speed or size or fast twitch muscle fiber, there is something about the one percent that can make it to the top. But even those who are blessed with the right genetics, what's between the ears can be just as important in competing at the highest level.

I learned that lesson from professional golfer Mark Brooks when I was a young reporter. The Iron Horse Golf Course was opening in North Richland Hills, and the powers-that-be wanted Brooks, a Richland High grad, to golf the course and give his opinion on each hole. I was given the assignment of writing down his thoughts and putting together an article.

Brooks put five balls on tees and started his process. He went down the line stroking each one smoothly, and then we got in the cart to go chase them down. When we got to the fairway, all five were in a tidy circle. He hit those and we again found the next shots pretty much bunched together. He did that for most of the day, showing an incredible consistency forged by diligence and muscle memory.

As I marveled at Brooks' accuracy, he chuckled and said something to the effect of, "Sure, when there's no crowd and nothing is on the line, it makes it a lot easier."

Yes, there is an immense amount of skill and practice needed to be good at sports. But all the preparation only goes so far when the heat gets dialed up. That's what the Stars are going through right now. They have left very little wiggle room. One bad game, one bad period, heck, one bad play can cost them now. So, they have to find a way to be both intense and calm, both reckless and aware.

They did that in Game 4, and they were rewarded. Dallas got down twice but bounced back each time on goals by Jason Robertson. They were clutch plays against a very good defense and a very hot goalie, and they were needed.

Once the game got to overtime, the Stars had to not only make the right plays, but they also had to keep their panic in check. This team was 0-4 in playoff overtime. They lost the past two games within two minutes each. They needed to stay alive, but they also needed to prove to themselves they could handle the pressure.

And they did.

Ty Dellandrea drew a penalty working in front of the net. Roope Hintz created a great scoring chance and then was smart enough to get his own rebound. Hintz sent the puck up to Miro Heiskanen at the point and Heiskanen sent it to Pavelski in the left circle. Pavelski's one-timer beat Adin Hill and Dallas had a very nice moment in a very tough series.

Pavelski currently leads all active players in career playoff goals with 73. He's ahead of Alexander Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby. Pavelski, 38, is starting to show up on a lot of charts with a lot of big names. He is continuing an amazing career with some of the best hockey he has ever played. After being put under concussion protocol in Game 1 against Minnesota, he has returned to post nine goals in 12 games.

Pavelski is also bringing leadership in spades. He is the one player who can understand what Vegas is going through. That series between the Sharks and Kings was a tough one, but it also brought a few lessons.

"It's such a fine line this time of year," he said. "You're going good and all of a sudden you look and you're in a 3-0 hole," Pavelski said. "We have had a couple of overtime losses and played some good hockey along the way. You just have to keep putting your game out there and have the belief that you can buy more time."

If the Stars can win Game 5, they get more belief and Vegas gets more doubt. If they can simply keep pushing forward and stay alive, momentum can become a factor in their favor.

"I do believe in it," Stars coach Pete DeBoer said of momentum. "I think there's always a team that gets itself in a spot and climbs out of it. It doesn't happen all of the time, but it happens enough that . . . why not us?"

This story was not subject to the approval of the National Hockey League or Dallas Stars Hockey Club.

Video: Pavelski and Robertson on the desperation is a Senior Staff Writer for DallasStars.com and has covered the Stars since 1994. Follow him on Twitter @MikeHeika