5 takeaways: Stars find a way to scratch out a victory in Arizona

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Braden Holtby called this game "almost 100 percent mental." The challenge, other than the obvious fact that it was the second half of back-to-backs, was that it was a road game against a well-rested team that's better than its record would indicate.

The Stars were coming off three emotional victories at home against teams they're trying to catch in the standings, but Saturday's opponent sat near the bottom.
Led by an early goal from Roope Hintz, the Stars never trailed. The Coyotes tied it on two separate occasions, but Jason Robertson's go-ahead tally at the 8:57 mark of the second period held up as the game winner.
Holtby turned in a 25-save performance in his first start since Nov. 10 and the Stars won for the fourth straight game and sixth time in their past seven.
Here are the five takeaways of the game.

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HINTZ POUNCES EARLY

Apparently Hintz felt that going a game without a goal was a game too many because he didn't waste any time getting on the board Saturday. The 25-year-old forward jumped on a loose puck in the crease and buried his team-leading seventh goal of the season just 54 seconds into the game.
His line with Robertson and Joe Pavelski has been deadly for the past few weeks - really ever since Robertson returned to the lineup and especially after Hintz got his first goal of the season.

PETERSON CRASHES INTO BOARDS, SCORES

It didn't look promising after Jacob Peterson crashed into the end boards in the first period and went straight to the dressing room. But the rookie forward returned after missing a few shifts and promptly scored to give the Stars a 2-1 lead in the closing minutes of the opening frame.
This may be Peterson's first season in the NHL, but he isn't showing any signs of being overwhelmed.

DOMINATING ON THE DOT

The Stars came in with the third-best faceoff win percentage at 54.8% and they flexed their muscle in the faceoff circle against the Coyotes.
They won 61% of the draws in the game, led by Michael Raffl (6-for-7, 86%), Tyler Seguin (12-for-19, 63%) and Radek Faksa (5-for-8, 63%).

TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS ON THE ROAD

The Stars have taken control of home ice as of late, but their road mark entering Saturday's game was 3-5-1. On the second half of back-to-backs, they grinded it out against the Coyotes in a game they needed to win.
They'll enjoy the comforts of home for the next three games, but then it's back on the road with contests against Vegas, LA and San Jose beginning Dec. 8.

FINDING WAYS TO WIN

It wasn't their prettiest win, but the Stars came out of Gila River Arena with two points. They protected Holtby in the third period when Arizona made its push in the closing minutes and the Stars' netminder was up to the task for the full 60.
Catch the Stars on their upcoming three-game homestand as they take on the Carolina Hurricanes 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.