The Vegas Golden Knights were defeated by a team in need, which sent its best players to ensure that the campaign did not end in front of a supportive home crowd.
Sometimes, it really can come down to that. Sometimes losing is as simple as that.
Coach Bruce Cassidy of Vegas said, "There's always things we'll look at, our breakout executions and support, getting to our areas, but they're a good team too.
They have talented athletes. For them, their best players completed plays. Your team benefits from that when it occurs.
In Game 4 of the Western Conference Final on Thursday, it did so for the Dallas Stars.
In order to secure a 3-2 victory at the American Airlines Center, the Stars needed a power-play goal from Joe Pavelski and two goals from Jason Robertson to tie the game in regulation, one on the power play and one at 5-on-5.