"It's playoffs, everyone will be ready," Faksa said. "We're pro athletes and that's what we play the whole season for. It's tough to get into playoffs. It's exciting to play in playoffs and it's the best thing you can play in hockey, Stanley Cup Playoffs."
Dallas will take Saturday off and practice Sunday. In that span, it'll intensify its mindset and prepare for Game 1. It's a bit of a transition, but the coaches and players say they understand the difference between a regular season final where one team is using a guy from the stands, and a playoff game against one of the best teams in the NHL.
"It's nice to have a little fun out there," Bowness said after Tyler Seguin tracked down a game puck for Hodges and all the Stars player congratulated the Dallas resident. "That's what this game should've been. I saw the guys talking on the ice tonight but, you know what, Tuesday night it takes it to a whole other end of the spectrum. The intensity and everything else is going to ramp up, so have a little fun tonight. We got the win, we got 98 points, it's a hell of a year now let's move on."
This story was not subject to the approval of the National Hockey League or Dallas Stars Hockey Club.
Mike Heikais a Senior Staff Writer for DallasStars.com and has covered the Stars since 1994. Follow him on Twitter @MikeHeika.