The Blues haven't made it out of the second round since 1986, but they're in position to end that drought after winning the first two games at Dallas.
They are home for Games 3 and 4 -- where they had the NHL's best regular-season record -- with a shot at clinching it.
They're far from cocky after winning 2-1 Sunday night, even if the optional skate Monday was minus almost all the big stars.
"It's halfway, but it's a long way," coach Joel Quenneville said. "I know it's going to get tougher and tougher as we progress."
The Stars have been in the Stanley Cup final the past two seasons, winning the title two years ago.
"Things can change quickly, and I think we understand that," Blues forward Cory Stillman said.
Stars coach Ken Hitchcock had no problem with his team's play in Games 1 or 2.
He noted that Dallas had a 13-3 edge in shots at one point Sunday.
"It's a big hole," Hitchcock said, "but if we can bring the same effort in Game 3, we give ourselves a chance to win.
"This is all about Game 3."
The last time the Blues won the first two games on the road was 1993, when they swept the Chicago Blackhawks in the first round.
The last time the Blues were up 2-0 in any series was 1998, when they swept the Los Angeles Kings in the first round.
After winning the Presidents' Trophy last season and then getting knocked out in the first round, the Blues loaded up for this post-season by acquiring power forward Keith Tkachuk.
They carry a four-game playoff winning streak into Game 3.
They're also perfect on the penalty kill in the playoffs, stopping 33 consecutive power plays.
The Stars are 0-for-11 in the first two games after the San Jose Sharks, beaten in six games in the first round, were 0-for-22.
The Blues' eight-game penalty kill shutout is tied for second-best in NHL history with the 1989 Montreal Canadiens, who stopped 28 straight power plays.
Only the New Jersey Devils were better last year en route to the Stanley Cup. In 10 games, the Devils stopped 27 straight power plays.
"They've been taking pride in their efficiency," Quenneville said. "I know the Dallas power play has a lot of different weapons and you've got to be on top of their next move."
The Stars believe shot volume will end their drought.
"It's definitely been suspect," forward Jamie Langenbrunner said. "We've had a lot of opportunities.
"We've just got to get more pucks on the net and get some second shots."
The Stars haven't come back from a 2-0 series deficit since the franchise's first playoff series in 1968.
But they're expected to get Mike Modano, their leading scorer in the playoffs, back for Game 3.
Another Stars centre, Shaun Van Allen, underwent surgery Monday to repair a broken jaw one day after taking a puck in the face off a shot from Blues defenceman Al MacInnis.
Joe Nieuwendyk moved up to centre the No. 1 line in Game 2, and scored the Stars' only goal on a deflection with 52 seconds to go.
"Maybe we'll get Mike back for the next game," Nieuwendyk said. "It's impossible to replace a guy like Mike.
"But whoever is in there, our game plan isn't going to change."
The Blues expect defenceman Bryce Salvador, who got his head rammed into the boards and bloodied by Benoit Hogue, to return for Game 3.
"He felt better today," Quenneville said. "It was a nasty gash, but he's a tough kid and he'll be OK."
By R.B. Fallstrom
