5 takeaways: Epic crowd, timely goals and finding ways to win

DALLAS -- Catch your breath yet?
In the most thrilling game thus far for the Stars in the 2021-22 campaign, they've somehow figured out overtimes and shootouts because all three of their wins have come in extra time.

Tonight's was easily the most dramatic - and loud - as they sent a sold-out crowd of 18,532 into a frenzy when Denis Gurianov roofed a backhander over Jonathan Quick's shoulder to give the Stars a 3-2 win in their home opener against the LA Kings.
The crowd was terrific from start to finish. The players afterwards spoke about the energy inside the building. You couldn't have asked for a better atmosphere in a home opener than the one at American Airlines Center on Friday night.
With so much to unpack, let's dive in. Here are the five takeaways from the game.

WHAT A CROWD

It was electric inside AAC, simple as that. Stars fans missed seeing their favorite team in person, and tonight they showed how loud they could be. They roared when Tyler Seguin ripped a one-timer to tie the game late in the first. They were deafening when Miro Heiskanen evened the score midway through the third. And finally, they were simply on another level when Gurianov went shelf to win it in sudden death.
Do yourself a favor and watch Gurianov's goal. That's some crowd, all right.

FINDING WAYS TO WIN

It might be nerve-wracking for fans, but the Stars are finding ways to win close games. Their three victories this season have come in overtime or the shootout - games they probably would've lost last season.
Good teams find ways to win. The Stars aren't pressing if they're down. Twice they erased one-goal deficits on Friday to even the score.
We'll see what this does for the team as the season gets further along and the games get tighter.

SEGUIN GETS ON THE BOARD

It had only been four games, but for Seguin, it was four games too many without making an impact offensively. His game is coming around - you can see it in his legs and his scoring chances.
Maybe his power-play goal on Friday lifted a bit of weight off his shoulders. You could see how much it meant for him in his goal celebration. He wanted it. The fans wanted it. He delivered.

IS HEISKANEN HUMAN?

The young man has somehow taken his game to another level. Already an elite defenseman, the 22-year-old has been a dominant force since the season started. He left his mark in all facets of the game on Friday, tying his career high with three points (one goal, two assists) in a game-high 29:07 TOI.
Heiskanen's goal marked his 100th career point (30 goals, 70 assists). At 22 years, 96 days old, Heiskanen became the youngest defenseman in franchise history to reach the 100-point mark. He also did it in his 210th career regular-season game, which is the second fewest games to 100 points by a d-man in Dallas Stars history, and the fourth fewest in franchise history.
He has six points (two goals, four assists) in five games. He's on the power play and the penalty kill. There isn't a game situation where you wouldn't want him on the ice. Too early to start talking Norris consideration?

LEGEND OF HOLTBY GROWS

Braden Holtby's 43-save performance on Friday was further proof he's gotten his groove back. Not only was he under siege in regulation, but he also had to come up huge multiple times in overtime to keep the Stars alive.
How far the Stars go might depend on how far Holtby can take them.
This story was not subject to the approval of the National Hockey League or Dallas Stars Hockey Club.
Kyle Shohara is the Digital Manager for DallasStars.com and writes about the Stars/NHL. Follow him on Twitter @kyleshohara.