Dallas Stars edge out Washington Capitals 3-2 due to Oettinger

The Dallas Stars were able to go into Washington and beat the Capitals 3-2 due to Jake Oettinger and his amazing goaltending Sunday. This was also Braden Holtby’s first game back at the Capital One Arena since being traded to Vancouver. With the win, the Stars are back within a point of Vegas for the second Wildcard playoff spot in the Western Conference. Here is how Oettinger and the Stars did in Washington Sunday

Dallas Stars vs Washington Capitals: 1st period recap

John Klingberg almost opened up the game with a goal in the first couple of minutes of the 1st period. Alexander Radulov would open up the scoring for the Stars by tapping one past Vitek Vanecek to make it 1-0 Dallas.

Klingberg almost added to the Stars total but it went off the side of the net. Stars would commit the first penalty of the game and send the Capitals on the power play. Alex Ovechkin would get a couple of shots on Oettinger but he would deny him and they would kill the power play.

Oettinger has been phenomenal this period stopping shot after shot the Capitals give him. Joe Pavelski almost tied this game with 3:30 left in the period but the shot went wide. Roope Hintz would score on the power play to silence this crowd.

https://twitter.com/BallySportsSW/status/1505661840059158531?s=20&t=kNibo94Az6WnDjS98MjABQ

After the first period, the Stars lead the Washington Capitals 2-0. The Stars lead in shots on goal 11-9 and in face offs won 13-7. This was a good first period for the Stars minus the penalties. They need to keep up this momentum going into the second period.

Dallas Stars vs Washington Capitals: 2nd period recap

Stars really brought the pressure in Washington’s side of the ice as Glendening almost made it 3-0. Stars would go back on the penalty kill for the fourth time as Jamie Benn would go to the box for “tripping.” Alex Ovechkin would finally get one past Oettinger to get the Capitals on the board 2-1.

Stars quickly responded to the power play goal by getting back into the Capitals zone and continuing to attack. Stars would go on their second power play midway through the 2nd period. Roope Hintz would score his second power play goal of the night to make it 3-1. With his second goal of the night, Hintz would go on hat trick watch.

Radulov almost made it 4-1 Dallas but Vanecek would poke the attempt away and Washington would clear the puck. The Stars would go into the 2nd intermission up 3-1. Washington would lead in shots on goal 24-21. At the end of the period, it looks like the Capitals started to come alive in the offensive zone. Stars have to keep it clean while playing defense in the 3rd.

Dallas Stars vs Washington Capitals: 3rd period recap

Fists are flying early here in the 3rd as Klingberg and Mantha got into a tussle. Roope Hintz almost got his second hat trick this season but the puck went wide of the net. In the first 5 minutes of this period, both teams have been exchanging shots in each other’s zone.

Oettinger probably had the save of the game on Evgeny Kuznetsov with him right in front of the net. He probably just saved the momentum in the game by swinging to the Capitals. Dmitry Orlov would score while the Stars were in the middle of a line change.

Stars would go back on the power play after Garnet Hathaway interfered with Oettinger. Stars would have their first unsuccessful power play of the game after they fail to convert. Oettinger made another highlight reel save on what was basically a empty net goal for Washington.

The Stars defense and penalty kill in the final minutes of this game. A big fight ensues with 20 seconds left as Jamie Benn checks John Carlson into the boards. Stars would finish off the Capitals 3-2 as they split the season series. Stars return home for a special night Tuesday against the Oilers.