The Dallas Stars inched closer to the Central Division lead with a thrilling 2-1 shootout victory over the Colorado Avalanche at Ball Arena. In a game where the Avalanche seemed to have the upper hand, the Stars found a way to secure the win, showcasing their resilience.
Jason Robertson netted the lone goal in regulation for the Stars, while Wyatt Johnston emerged as the shootout hero. Jake Oettinger was stellar between the pipes, stopping 33 shots.
For the Avalanche, Cale Makar found the back of the net, and Scott Wedgewood made 17 saves.
Oettinger's Night to Shine
Jake Oettinger has been quietly impressive during the Stars’ recent run, boasting a personal 12-0-1 point streak. Since January 20, he's maintained a .903 save percentage and a 2.33 goals against average. On Wednesday, he was the clear difference-maker, thwarting the Avalanche's relentless attacks.
“Oetts was our standout player tonight,” head coach Glen Gulutzan noted. “He was the key to our victory, just like in our October shootout win.”
Oettinger’s journey this season has seen its ups and downs, but he’s now looking every bit like the top-tier goalie he’s expected to be. “It’s huge,” Oettinger said.
“We’re aiming for the division title and the Presidents’ Trophy. Every point counts.”
Finding Ways to Win
Despite the Avalanche dominating much of the play, the Stars managed to hang tough and capitalize when it mattered. Gulutzan described the game as a cautious battle between two heavyweights, with momentum shifting back to the Stars in the third period and overtime.
Both teams are dealing with key injuries, and the Stars took advantage of the Avalanche's recent struggles. “We need to improve for future games in this building,” Gulutzan added.
Division Race Heating Up
Post-Winter Olympic break, the Stars were trailing the Minnesota Wild and the Avalanche in the division standings. Despite a strong stretch, they remain two points behind the Avalanche. However, they’ve solidified their hold on at least second place, sitting six points ahead of the Wild.
The Stars have a game in hand over the Avalanche and another head-to-head matchup remaining. As the Stars seem to be hitting their stride, the Avalanche might have already peaked.
Winning the division would be advantageous, potentially setting up a more favorable playoff matchup against a wild-card team. The Stars would prefer facing a wild-card opponent over a tougher divisional rival like the Wild.
Looking Ahead
The Stars face the Minnesota Wild on Saturday afternoon, followed by a home game against the Vegas Golden Knights on Sunday night. It's a pivotal weekend that could further shape their playoff positioning.