DALLAS _ If the Stars have learned anything during this grueling run toward the playoffs, it's that the NHL is truly a grind right now.
It's not pretty. It's not always fun. And you're definitely going to have to earn your way.
The Stars overcame a third period deficit for the third game in a row and lost for the second time in that span, falling to Ottawa on Monday, 3-2 (OT). Still, 1-0-2 gets you points and Dallas moves to 37-23-6 (80 points).
"It's the time of year, there are going to be games like that," Stars coach Ken Hitchcock said. "You've just got to stay with it, it's hard hockey right now."
Dallas started Monday learning Radek Faksa (foot) and Esa Lindell (illness) could be out for the game against the Senators. They then lost goalie Ben Bishop in the first period when defenseman Dan Hamhuis got tangled up and fell on Bishop's legs. The big goalie stayed in the game, but then did not return after the first intermission and was listed as "questionable."
Mattias Janmark was high-sticked in the second period and returned in the third wearing a cage.
"When you play every second night, and every game is as tough as it is right now, you are going to get injuries," Hitchcock said before the game. "You're going to have to learn to deal with it. We're lucky that we've got some flexibility."
Dallas injected Julius Honka and Gemel Smith into the lineup and juggled lines. Kari Lehtonen came off the bench to replace Bishop, and the team chugged forward. It wasn't pretty at times, but they stuck with it.
It was and emotional battle ... and this was against an Ottawa team that has the 28th best record in the league at 23-32-10 (56 points).
"What's happening on the other side is that, the teams' that are out have got fresh air going," Hitchcock said before the game. "They've removed a lot of players off their roster so they've got tryouts going and it's going to be even harder. The game against Ottawa is going to be as tough as any we've played. They've got fresh legs in there, they've got enthusiasm and they've got guys trying to make the team next year."
Both teams fought hard, but Dallas struggled to get pucks past Senators goalie Craig Anderson. Even their first tally was a bit of a fluke, as Tyler Seguin whipped a hard pass through the slot, and it struck the skate of Ottawa defenseman Ben Harpur and angled past Anderson.
Ottawa then rallied back on a power play goal with 1.4 seconds left in the second period and a breakaway from Matt Duchene that beat reliever Lehtonen short-side.
It appeared that might be the game-winning goal, but Dallas pulled the goalie and scored again. Seguin got his 36th off a strong play from Janmark, and the Stars forced overtime.
Getting a win in overtime would have been a perfect ending, and it almost happened, as John Klingberg manipulated Anderson out of the net. However, Dallas couldn't get the puck into the gaping cage, and Erik Karlsson raced the length of the ice to beat Lehtonen with 2:19 remaining in overtime.
It was just one more reminder of how hard this is going to be.
Dallas, which has 11 road games remaining out of 16, heads to Nashville to take on the best team in the West on Tuesday.
"This is an exciting time," Hitchcock said. "Sure, we're all nervous before every game, but that's a good thing because we are playing games that are really worthwhile and significant. That's what you want at this time of year and we are getting that opportunity."
