Jake Oettinger stood tall once again, stopping 27 of 30 shots to notch his 11th win of the season-and with it, he tied Ed Belfour for third all-time in franchise history with 160 career victories. That’s not just a number, that’s rare air in Stars goaltending lore. And he had to earn this one, as the Dallas Stars clawed their way back from an early 2-0 deficit to take down the Utah Mammoth 4-3 on Friday night at American Airlines Center.
Things didn’t start pretty. Utah came out swinging, with Logan Cooley and Kevin Rooney each lighting the lamp within the first 13 minutes of the game. The Stars were on their heels early, but as they’ve shown time and again this season, they don’t panic-they push.
That push started with the power play, which has quietly become one of Dallas’ most reliable weapons. Roope Hintz got the comeback rolling with a first-period goal on the man advantage, cutting the deficit in half and injecting some life into the building. From there, the Stars found their footing.
Jamie Benn tied the game with a vintage finish-gritty, timely, and right in the dirty areas where he’s made a living. Then Jason Robertson, who continues to be a steady offensive presence, gave Dallas the lead with a snipe that reminded everyone why he’s one of the most dynamic scorers in the league.
Utah wasn’t done, though. Jack McBain answered back in the second period to knot things up at 3-3, keeping the pressure on Oettinger and the Stars’ defense. But Dallas responded with poise.
The turning point? A five-on-three opportunity late in the second period.
That’s when Wyatt Johnston stepped up and delivered the eventual game-winner. It was a textbook special teams execution-crisp puck movement, patience, and a high-percentage finish.
Johnston’s goal capped a power play performance that was both timely and clinical.
From there, Oettinger took care of the rest. He turned away everything Utah threw at him in the third, including a couple of high-danger chances that could’ve easily flipped the script. The Stars tightened up defensively, closing out the game with the kind of structure and composure that wins games in December-and down the stretch.
This win wasn’t just about climbing back from an early hole. It was about resilience, special teams execution, and a goaltender hitting a major career milestone. Oettinger’s place alongside Belfour is a testament to his consistency and growth, and the way he’s become the backbone of this team.
Dallas keeps finding ways to win, and if their power play keeps clicking like this-and Oettinger keeps stacking W’s-the Stars are going to be a tough out for anyone.