SAN JOSE, Calif. – While using Dancing With the Stars references to describe a second-round series against the Dallas Stars, San Jose coach Ron Wilson agreed with the suggestion that maybe the two disciplined teams would be engaged in a waltz.

If that's the case, consider the Stars taking the lead.

Dallas grabbed a 3-2 overtime win at HP Pavilion on Friday night to take a 1-0 lead in the best-of-7 series.

Brenden Morrow scored on a big one-timer at 4:39 of overtime after getting a cross-ice pass from Mattias Norstrom. The victory was the third this postseason when the Stars were challenged at a key juncture. Dallas allowed the tying goal with 3:02 left in regulation, but the Stars fought back to come up with the right play at the right time.

"We came up with the play, that's the bottom line," said defenseman Stephane Robidas, who set up the winning goal by carrying the puck down the right side and behind the goal. "We're finding ways to win games instead of finding ways to lose them."

And that is a different experience for the Stars, who had exited the playoffs in the first round the previous three seasons.

The Stars pushed their road record in the playoffs to 3-1 this season.

"I think it's good for us to start on the road," Stars center Mike Modano said. "It's just a good feeling going into a hostile arena and feeling you have to band together as a team."

The Stars are 9-1 since moving to Texas when they win the first game in a series. In NHL history, Game 1 winners end up winning 68.9 percent of the series. Still, the Stars need some more work if they want to make sure those numbers bear out.

"The reality is we're going to have to be much better," coach Dave Tippett said. "I expect us to raise our level of play."

The teams played exceptional team defense, clogged passing lanes and were methodical in almost every aspect of the game. Still, Tippett and Wilson each found areas for improvement.

The Stars finished with 18 shots on goal and were drilled in the faceoff circle, winning only 41 percent. The Sharks couldn't capitalize on 27 shots on goal and 55 shot opportunities.

In addition, Wilson pointed out that they had significant defensive breakdowns on the Stars' goals.

Still, it's tough to look in a mirror sometimes.

"They play a lot like us, and they frustrate you a lot," Robidas said. "It's almost like a chess match, and you just have to remain patient and wait for the chance to make your move."

Chess match? Waltz? It's clear that there's more than the physical play of the first round taking place here.

San Jose scored the first goal at the 4:50 mark of the second period when Matt Niskanen coughed up the puck, and Milan Michalek turned it into a scramble in front of the net. Michalek was able to push the puck past Marty Turco and bring the capacity HP Pavilion crowd to its feet.

But Dallas countered with a power-play goal from Modano and an even-strength goal from Morrow to take a 2-1 lead that it would ride until the final three minutes. That's when Jonathan Cheechoo tied the score and forced overtime.

But with any dance, the recovery was more important than the mistake.

"It's important for us," Turco said of the win. "It's a step in the right direction, but even this quickly after the game, we know we need to be better."