Puck drop in Game 2 is just around the corner on this Saturday afternoon. And if the Dallas Stars can keep their calm and avoid panicking in St. Louis against the Blues, they should have a good chance to even the series before returning home.
If there’s one thing the Dallas Stars learned on Thursday night as they opened their second-round series in St. Louis, it’s that this series could very well go the distance.
The Stars dropped a 3-2 decision to the St. Louis Blues in Game 1 and dug themselves a 1-0 hole in the series. They dominated the first few minutes of the game, but gave up a goal to Robby Fabbri on the Blues’ first shot of the game. Following that, Dallas spent the rest of the game trying to play catchup, but fell victim to some perfectly-timed counterattacks by Vladimir Tarasenko.
The energy and execution were there, though. The Stars looked aggressive, played with pace, and stuck to their defensive system. They also put together a strong push in the final 20 minutes, outshooting the Blues 17-6 and bringing the score within one on a power play goal from Jamie Benn.
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They created some valuable chances, but each one was foiled by rookie goaltender Jordan Binnington. Jason Dickinson had a chance on the doorstep, Jason Spezza had two opportunities on the power play, and Roope Hintz found himself wide open with the puck in the slot throughout the third period. All were chances, but none cashed in.
And so, the Dallas Stars will play from behind in Game 2. But that’s okay. It’s not the first time that the Stars have been forced to rally from a frustrating loss in this postseason.
Rewind to round one for a moment. The Stars stole Game 1 from the Nashville Predators on the road and headed home with a 1-1 split in the series. But then came a nearly-perfect performance by Pekka Rinne and a tough outing for Ben Bishop in Game 3. And just like that, the Stars gave up home ice advantage and fell into a 2-1 hole.
So this is nothing new. And this is where the Stars have to avoid any sort of panic or anxiety. That’s how the playoffs go.
Dallas has been good at avoiding panic for much of the 2018-19 season. They have avoided nerves, stuck to their game plan, and used their focus and determination to get out of tight spots. That’s what they will have to do going into Saturday afternoon.
“I think for the first game of the series just coming off of another one, we played pretty well,” said Stars forward Andrew Cogliano on Friday. “But, we’re down one now. That’s the reality of it and now we have to ramp up our game and get intense and get into a mode where we need to win this next one. Like I said, it was the first game of the series and we had a good game, but we lost and we’re down one.”
The first game provided some positives and left the door open for a potentially long series. Sure, there were some things that need to be fixed before Game 2. But for a first run-through and a “feeling out” game, the Dallas Stars looked decent. But now, there’s a need to be focused and desperate. There’s a need to keep playing their game and take control of the pace before the series shifts back to Dallas.
"“We’re the team down and we need to be very desperate for game two.” – Andrew Cogliano"
An 0-2 hole will leave the Stars with a challenge that they haven’t been forced to overcome this season. A 1-1 tie makes the series all the more interesting and gives Dallas plenty of momentum as they head back to the American Airlines Center.
Don’t panic, stay focused, and play with a similar level of determination. If they can fix up their problems and adjust their game plan considering the new opponent, it should have all the makings of a closely contested second-round playoff matchup.
Game 2 will be broadcast on NBC with puck drop scheduled for 2 p.m. on Saturday afternoon from the Enterprise Center.