In Oettinger we trust. Photo: Dave Reginek/NHLI via Getty Images
The Stars are back in the playoffs after finishing the regular season second in the Central Division.
- If you haven't been paying super-close attention to the team, fear not. We've got you covered.
Driving the news: The Stars kicked off the 2023 playoffs with a 3-2 loss in double overtime to the Minnesota Wild last night. It was agonizing.
The big puckture: The fate of the team will likely rise and fall with the success of two players — all-world left winger Jason Robertson and goalie Jake Oettinger.
- Robertson, Dallas' only All-Star, has had an amazing year. His 46 goals and 63 assists made him sixth-best in the league in points.
- Oettinger finished the regular season seventh among all goalies, with a 2.37 goals-against average and he was great last night.
The good news: The Stars started as slight favorites to win the series, and a dark-horse bet to win the Stanley Cup this year.
The bad news: The Wild were top 10 in the league this year in both penalty killing and goals against.
- It'll likely be a tough series either way.
The intrigue: This series has the former team from Minnesota facing off against the current team from Minnesota, something that's only happened one other time in the NHL playoffs.
- Dallas won that series in 2016.
- The Stars and Wild split their four matchups in this year's regular season, with each team winning two games.
The bottom line: If Oettinger catches fire, this team could make a deep run. 🦦🦦🦦
What's next: The Stars play the Wild again at American Airlines Center on Wednesday night.
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