5 takeaways: Stars deserve better fate, but how can they get there?

DALLAS -- The message out of the Stars locker room on Wednesday night wasn't doom and gloom, but instead one of encouragement even if the outcome was disappointing.
Make no mistake - the Stars should've won that game. It's up to them to hold a one-goal lead in the late stages of regulation and find a way to close it out especially against a depleted Vegas Golden Knights team. That's a tough one to stomach, no doubt.

Can the Stars build off this? Absolutely. They'll get that chance on Friday.
In the meantime, here are the five takeaways from the game.

COMPLETE GAME (ALMOST)

It was arguably the Stars' best 60-minute effort despite the lapse at the end that resulted in Jonathan Marchessault's game-tying goal. Dallas was ready from the drop of the puck and jumped on Vegas with an opening goal less than three minutes into the game. That's what you want from the Stars, who have come out of the gates sluggish in the majority of the games thus far.
Second periods have been their worst, but they dictated the play for the most part in the middle frame on Wednesday. Alexander Radulov got the crowd buzzing with a tip-in goal to give the Stars a 2-1 lead at the 6:56 mark of the period.
Now if they can just figure out a way to hold onto a lead.

ROBERTSON, COMEAU WERE MISSED

The absence of Jason Robertson and Blake Comeau through the first six games of the season was evident because they both made impacts against Vegas. Though neither found the scoresheet, Robertson elevated Joe Pavelski and Roope Hintz's game, while Comeau beefed up his line with Michael Raffl and Radek Faksa.
It marked the first time in a long time the Stars had a healthy lineup (save for Ben Bishop), so hopefully that translates into wins moving forward.

CHANCES GALORE, BUT ANYTHING TO SHOW FOR?

Boy, did the Stars have their chances on Wednesday. But what good are chances if you can't bury them? The score could've easily been lopsided in Dallas' favor, but it wasn't. They also didn't win despite numerous quality scoring opportunities.
It's an issue that's lingered for several seasons. The good news is that they're creating chances. You'd love to see at least a few of them turn into goals. If John Klingberg elevates the puck just a few inches higher, it's a 3-2 Stars lead with 30 seconds left in regulation.
Tough luck.

BUILDING BLOCKS

This was the fastest the Stars have looked all season. Pavelski, Hintz and Robertson picked up where they left off. Denis Gurianov, Jamie Benn and Radulov were dangerous all game. They generated chances and played with pace.
The Stars dominated in the faceoff circle winning a staggering 71% of the draws. Hintz and Seguin were both 7-of-10 (70%), Benn was 7-of-9 (78%) and Faksa was 8-of-10 (80%). They had 28 blocked shots, six of which from Esa Lindell, and dished out 20 hits to Vegas' nine.
This might all mean little considering the outcome of the game, but it's something to build on.

HEISKANEN CONTINUES TO DAZZLE

Miro Heiskanen finds a way to make an impact nearly every game. Tonight, he was a force in the first period, weaving through Vegas defenders to create chances. Then he had a terrific backcheck to eliminate a 2-on-1 at one end after catching up to the play from behind opposite goal line.
He has seven points (two goals, five assists) in seven contests, but it's his all-around game that's so impressive.
Don't miss your chance to see the Stars battle the Ottawa Senators as the homestand continues at American Airlines Center on Friday 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.