In Dallas, Radek Faksa hit for a shorthanded goal midway through the second period on Tuesday to give the Stars a 3-2 lead over the New York Islanders.
“The kid (Oettinger) had a tough couple of periods because there was no shots,” Dallas coach Rick Bowness said. “That’s a tough game for a goalie to play when there’s absolutely no traffic, there’s no shots, nothing going on. When we needed him in the third [period], he came up big for us.”
Jake Oettinger protected the lead for the win, and made 19 saves in the contest.
Dallas improved to 40-26-3, and reclaimed the second wild card spot in the Western Conference.
“[Dallas’] intensity was really good early,” New York coach Barry Trotz said. “They were winning all the battles, they’re winning all the races. They put volume of pucks to the net. They’re a straight line, they get it, they throw it to the net. They have people there, they have good sticks, and they create off that.”
Brock Nelson and Jean-Gabriel Pageau scored for New York.
“All of our goalies have been really good for us all year,” Pageau said. “They gave us a chance to win every night, and that’s what [Varlamov] did tonight. He made some key saves at some moments to give us a chance to come back. They put a lot of pucks on net with traffic, and he was able to fight through the traffic and find the puck to make the save.”
The Islanders dropped to 32-28-9.
Dallas took a 1-0 lead off a goal from Marian Studenic in the first period.
“I really appreciate the chance when I have opportunity to play with [Tyler Seguin and Benn],” Studenic said. “They’re both great players, and it makes it easier for me. They’re in the league for a long time, so it helps me out for sure.”
After the Islanders tied it on Pageau ‘s goal, Tyler Seguin scored for Dallas for a 2-1 lead.
“Kind of greased it up, all three of us,” Seguin said about his linemates. “We’re getting some good looks because of it. Marian, I think that was the best game I’ve seen him skate, and (he’s) playing with that confidence now, taking pucks to the net.”
Nelson tied it 2-2.
Semyon Varlamov made 37 saves in the Isles loss.
“They play a defensive style,” the Islanders’ Josh Bailey said. “They get numbers back, they box out. They’re a good team. You’ve got to earn it against them. We’re not our best tonight. Gave ourselves a chance, just came out on the wrong end.”
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