The Dallas Stars have seemed to pick up right where they left off last season, as after a run to the Western Conference Final last season, they’ve now started the year with a 3-0-1 record.
They’ve played well to get there, but a big reason why they’re off to such a hot start is due to the goaltending of Jake Oettinger.
Through his first three games, Oettinger has gone 2-0-1, and is tied with Alexandar Georgiev and Jeremy Swayman for seventh in the NHL in save percentage with a .943% mark.
He’s continued to take steps forward since his big breakout as the starter in that 2022 first round series against the Calgary Flames, and his start so far may just be the beginning of cementing him as one of the best players in the league.
Saad Yousef joined Frank Seravalli and Tyler Yaremchuk on Daily Faceoff Live to talk about Oettinger and how important he’s been to the Stars this season.
Saad Yousef: Oettinger has a history of doing this, where he goes into a zone, and most people nationally will remember the Calgary series as that being the time, that’s become a little moniker of Jake is “Calgary Jake”.
He goes into this zone but he’s generally been pretty good anyways. He can elevate his game, but his floor is also pretty good, and what you’re talking about right now, he’s playing some of his best hockey.
And it’s a joy to watch because when you watch Oettinger at his best, he’s technically sound, he’s moving around really firmly in the crease, and he’s playing confidently, and that’s the way that he’s playing right now.
And you’re absolutely right, I think it was after the third game that they beat the Anaheim Ducks, and that’s exactly what I said, I said that the Stars might be digging themselves out of an 0-3-1 hole if it wasn’t for Oettinger. He’s playing absolutely phenomenal.
You can watch the full episode here:
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