Stars must practice patience and resilience in Game 3

Pete DeBoer has been through this before.

As head coach of the Vegas Golden Knights, his team was down 2-0 to the Colorado Avalanche in 2021, and even was a goal behind late in the third period in Game 3.

But Vegas rallied for a win in regulation in Game 3 and then won the series in six games.

It was a great lesson in patience and resilience.

"This is familiar territory," DeBoer said. "You're down, but there's a lot of hockey left to be played. Obviously, you don't want to dig that hole deeper than it is, but they found a way to win their two home games. We've got to do the same thing at home here."

Dallas lost consecutive games for the first time in two months in Games 1 and 2 in Vegas and now are down 0-2 in the best-of-seven series. That puts a "must-win" feel on Tuesday's Game 3 at American Airlines Center. But players and coaches have been in these situations before and have found a way to win.

Heck, all you have to do is look at Dallas' last home game for inspiration. Dallas was in a win-or-go-golfing Game 7 against Seattle, and they were tremendous in taking a 2-1 win. The Stars had a great start, controlled the game, and cruised home.

"We played well in Game 7 and that's what we have to keep doing right now," Stars defenseman Miro Heiskanen said. "It's simple, good breakouts, it starts from there, and then go forecheck hard and get pucks to the net. I don't think we did anything special in that Seattle game, so that's how we need to play again tonight."

Both DeBoer and Heiskanen said it will be good for the Stars to return home. Dallas is 5-2 at AAC in the playoffs with a goal differential of plus-12, best in the post-season. The Stars average 4.00 goals for and 2.29 against. The power play is clicking at 32.0 percent and the penalty kill is a stingy 89.5 percent.

The Stars on the road are 3-5 with a goal differential of minus-7. The power play is hitting at 27.3 percent away from home, and the penalty kill is 75.0 percent.

That's a big difference in numbers alone, let alone in feel.

"If you're looking for good things, we're going home," forward Jason Robertson said after Game 2. "We've been a good home team all of the playoffs. We have a great fan base there. We're just looking to get back on track."

In NHL history, just four teams have come back from an 0-3 deficit out of 204 series. So the odds say you are likely looking at ending your season with a loss on Tuesday. However, lots of teams have come back from down 0-2, so it's good to keep that in mind.

"I'm glad we're at home, I'm glad we've got our home crowd here," DeBoer said. "I think our guys are ready to play and we just want to roll our best game out there."

Key Numbers

16-6

Vegas forward Jack Eichel went 16-6 in the faceoff circle in Game 2. His teammates went 11-27 as Dallas won 55 percent of the draws.

13

Stars forward Roope Hintz has 13 points (7 goals, 6 assists) in seven home games in the playoffs. Hintz has 9 points (3 goals, 6 assists) in eight road games.

225

Dallas is second in the playoffs in shots that miss the net at 225.

He said it

"He's 6-6, 220, he's a stopper, penalty killing, physicality. We've missed him."

-Stars coach Pete DeBoer on the potential return of defenseman Jani Hakanpää, who has missed three games.

Expected lineup

Robertson-Hintz-Pavelski
Benn-Johnston-Dadonov
Marchment-Domi-Seguin
Kiviranta-Faksa-Glendening

Suter-Heiskanen
Lindell-Hakanpää
Harley-Miller

Oettinger
Wedgewood

This story was not subject to the approval of the National Hockey League or Dallas Stars Hockey Club.

Video: Pete DeBoer on the depth of Vegas's defensive core is a Senior Staff Writer for DallasStars.com and has covered the Stars since 1994. Follow him on Twitter @MikeHeika