ST. LOUIS -- We have learned in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs that one or two plays can change a game, and consequently, a series.

That's what happened Thursday at Enterprise Arena. The St. Louis Blues received a couple of huge goals from their top scorer Vladimir Tarasenko and a few saves from their rookie goalie Jordan Binnington, and that was enough to secure a 3-2 win in Game 1 of their best-of-seven, second-round series with the Stars.

It was that simple.

The Dallas Stars didn't get the start they were hoping against the St. Louis Blues, falling 3-2 in Game 1 of their second-round playoff series Thursday night at Enterprise Center.

The Stars fell behind early, were able to tie the game in the second period, but two goals by Blues forward Vladimir Tarasenko gave St. Louis a 3-1 lead the Stars couldn't overcome.

Jason Spezza and Jamie Benn scored goals for Dallas, and Ben Bishop stopped 20 shots.

Game 2 is Saturday afternoon in St. Louis.

Here are five things to know from Thursday's game.

The Stanley Cup Playoffs are down to eight teams. One of the battles to make it to the final four gets underway tonight when the Dallas Stars and St. Louis Blues drop the puck in Game 1 of their second-round series at Enterprise Center (8:30 p.m. CT; NBCSN; WBAP 820-AM).

This year's playoffs have already made history with all four division winners getting bounced in the first round for the first time ever. Overall, five of eight lower seeds advanced in the first round. Among them were the Stars, who defeated Central Division-champion Nashville, and the Blues, who defeated higher-seeded Winnipeg.

ST. LOUIS -- The lessons of Boise have turned out to be pretty important to this team.

When the Stars opened training camp under new head coach Jim Montgomery in September, there were plenty of learning moments. The former University of Denver bench boss in his first few workouts with his NHL team focused on some pretty simple things like keeping your skates pointed in the right direction, taking direct paths on the forecheck to go through bodies and not around, and supporting your linemates with disciplined play.

It was a basic start, but it made sense to the players who were seeing their third head coach in three seasons.

Round 2: Dallas Stars (WC1) vs. St. Louis Blues (C3)

First Round: Dallas defeated Nashville, 4-2; St. Louis defeated Winnipeg, 4-2

Dallas: 43-32-7-93 points, first wild card in Western Conference

St. Louis: 45-28-9-99 points, third in Central Division

Season Series: Dallas: 3-1-0; St. Louis 1-3-0

What you should know about Thursday's Game 1 of the second-round series between the Dallas Stars and St. Louis Blues:

It was hard to tell when Tyler Seguin leaped higher -- in hopes of setting a screen in front of John Klingberg's overtime shot … or when he leaped into the arms of Klingberg after the shot went in.

It was an emotional moment a long time in the making for the Stars.

Dallas beat the Nashville Predators, 2-1, at 17:02 of overtime Monday to clinch a first-round playoff series win in six games. It was only the second playoff series victory in 11 seasons for the Stars. It was their first clinching game at American Airlines Center since 2008.

It was magical.

The Dallas Stars are headed to Round 2 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

John Klingberg scored with 2:58 left in overtime as the Stars advanced with a 2-1 win over the Nashville Predators in Game 6 of their first-round playoff series at American Airlines Center Monday night.

Blake Comeau also scored for the Stars and Ben Bishop stopped 47 shots.

The Stars will face the St. Louis Blues in the second round. That series schedule will be announced at a later date.

Here are five things to know from Monday's game.

Stars head coach Jim Montgomery

Video: Montgomery impressed with the young guns in Game 6 win

On how he's feeling after the victory:

"I feel great, there's nothing like it. I think [Tyler Seguin] said it the best, 'wow, is this ever fun.' You have to give Nashville credit, they gave it to us in the first period. We slowly, in the second period, third period and overtime, got better and better. It wasn't easy because they played really well. I give credit to our leaders and everybody in there. We just keep getting better and that's not easy to do when a team is playing really well like Nashville did tonight."

On his emotions in the third period and overtime:

"When you're behind the bench, you're in the moment. I'm just wanting to make sure I have my next line up and worrying about anything that may arise that I have control of. I don't have any control of them making great plays like they did."

The Dallas Stars will look to close out their first-round playoff series and advance to Round 2 when they take on the Nashville Predators in Game 6 tonight (7:30 p.m. CT; FS-SW, CNBC; KTCK 1310-AM, 96.7-FM) at American Airlines Center.

The Stars, who lead the best-of-seven series, 3-2, are looking for their first playoff series win since 2016 when they knocked off Minnesota in Round 1.

The Stars have won the last two games of the series, including a 5-3 victory in Saturday's Game 5 in Nashville, to put themselves in position to win the series tonight.