5 takeaways: Despite outcome to Lightning, Stars met the challenge

The compete level was there and, for most of the game, the Stars were just a shot away from taking a lead against the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Though they fell 3-1, the Stars stuck with the Lightning for the entire game even during a second period when puck possession heavily favored the home club. They bent, but didn't break, and came oh-so-close to scoring a go-ahead goal in the third period off glorious chances from Luke Glendening and Radek Faksa.
Here are the five takeaways of the game.

LINDELL GETS ON THE BOARD

Known more for his shutdown work, any time Esa Lindell contributes offensively is a plus. The veteran blueliner got the Stars on the board with a one-timer that sailed through traffic before clanging off the nearside post and into the back of the net.
It gave the likeable defenseman points in three straight games and more importantly gave the Stars the lead. Unfortunately, Dallas surrendered the game-tying marker with 12 seconds left in the first period, but Lindell's goal was a byproduct of the Stars working hard and creating chances in the offensive zone.

TWO SHOTS IN MIDDLE FRAME NOT ENOUGH

At one point, the Stars went nearly 25 minutes without a shot on goal. They ended up with two in the middle frame, but an offense that's been struggling mightily to produce on the road didn't do itself any favors.

GREAT CHANCES IN 3RD, BUT NO DICE

The Stars had a sequence in the early stages of the third period where they had back-to-back Grade A scoring chances but couldn't solve Andrei Vasilevskiy.
Glendening was sprung on a partial breakaway but fanned on his backhand attempt. Moments later, Faksa was robbed on the doorstep when Vasilevskiy pushed from right to left to seal off the backdoor chance.
Unfortunately, the Lightning struck not long after, a breakaway goal for Colton Point that put them up 2-1.

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KHUDOBIN DOES HIS PART

Despite the loss, Anton Khudobin turned in a strong performance in goal for the Stars. He kept the Stars in it, especially in the second period when they were outshot 9-2.
"He was great," said coach Rick Bowness. "Anton did his job and made some big saves when he had to."
The only goals that got past Khudobin were on the power play and on a breakaway.

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COMPETE LEVEL

After getting embarrassed on Friday, the Stars responded with a far better performance Saturday. Both games were against elite teams, and the compete level, according to Bowness, was night and day.
Bowness says he was proud of the way his team battled against the Lightning, and told the players before the game that, regardless of the outcome, they needed to leave with their heads held high.
Don't miss the Stars as they return home to take on the Montreal Canadiens next Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. Get your tickets now!
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.