“Why Not?” vs. “What’s the Use?”

Dallas is down 3 games to nothing in the best of a seven game series. The winner of the series goes to the NHL championship finals - to play for the Stanley Cup. Unfortunately, the Detroit Redwings are hosing down the Dallas Stars who appear completely outmatched. Dallas now must muster up the courage, determination and tenacity necessary to keep moving forward - and they must fight the temptation to quit, give up and call it a season.

Why not go down swinging? Embrace the moment, enjoy the challenge and fight your way through the darkness of defeating thoughts. Enduring that challenge can pay off big. If not this season, then next.

Some argue, “Why fight when there is no hope of victory?” Winners have to resist the temptation of such logic. Competitive people ignore the odds and the logic of the challenge. They press forward without regard and struggle for the sake of struggling. Sometimes, we need to fight simply for the sake of fighting. Giving up isn’t a habit desired by any competitive person.

In game 4 the Dallas Stars will continue to battle. Here are just a few reasons why the Stars will be saying, “Why not?”

1. Pride. This team is too proud to just hand Detroit an easy victory.

2. Hope. The hope that momentum will change and a single game can be won (at home) can drive most of us, but it really can inspire competitive professional athletes. One game. That’s the hope right now.

3. Making your opponent pay. Competitive people - in every area of life - relish making their opponent pay the price. If Detroit wins, they’ll earn it. If Dallas wins, they’ll earn it.

4. If it must end, end it on your own terms. Dallas may well lose game 4 and be swept by Detroit. And if they do the Dallas Stars will fight to the bitter end knowing that how they finish this season can carry over into the early fall when the next season begins.

Dallas now has nothing to lose so they can go for broke. Detroit won’t force Dallas to surrender. Detroit will have to battle the Stars until there’s no time left on the clock.

It’s not over, but it feels like it. That feeling is what must be fought - the feeling of “what’s-the-use?”

There is still one game worth fighting for. The young players are gaining priceless playoff experience. The entire roster is learning (some of them, again) how much work - both mentally and physically - is required to keep advancing in the playoffs. The Dallas Stars will be a much better team next season because of this year’s playoff run.

I’m proud fan of this team. They’ve played better than any of us expected. They’ve gone further than any of us thought possible. They’ve simply met a team that has superior skill and talent. Detroit is vastly better than this year. Detroit is better than anybody in the league this season - and that includes Sid and the Penguins, Detroit’s likely opponent in the finals.

If it ends Wednesday night in game 4 - it’ll end with Dallas battling to the buzzer - even though giving up would be far easier!