Sometimes when you are away from home for a while, you can get into a little bit of a funk. Just take a look at what happened this past Tuesday when the Stars took on the Boston Bruins on the road. Everyone was out of place on defense, and you could tell Jake Oettinger wasn't himself as well. Well, the Stars have a chance to pull out of their funk tonight when they take on the Winnipeg Jets. Nothing like coming home and having the home crowd cheer you on to victory.
Oettinger could especially use tonight to snap out of whatever is affecting him right now. I know the Stars' defense isn't as strong as the team wants it to be, but the defense has been just as bad in his last couple of starts. There were a lot of goals on this past road trip that he usually saves for. I know the fanbase isn't allowing him to use the Olympics or the 'new dad' excuse anymore. Here are the four keys to the game as Dallas hosts Winnipeg in the final game of the season.
Dallas Stars vs. Winnipeg Jets Preview: 4. Get the game over with early
I don't want to see the Stars trail 1-0 early on tonight. That streak has to stop tonight, and especially before the playoffs begin in a couple of weeks. Dallas needs to take control of the game early and send the Jets packing. That means players like Mikko Rantanen and Jason Robertson can't keep playing with their food by passing the puck around. I want to see them attack Connor Hellebuyck and send him to the bench early tonight. This conservative game strategy nonsense ends tonight.
Dallas Stars vs. Winnipeg Jets Preview: 3. Unleash the antlers
Rantanen has to get going at full strength again. Dallas is currently injured, and the scoring options are limited. Rantanen has to unleash the full power of his antlers on the Jets tonight if Dallas wants to come away with the win. Where's that moose that went full send on the Avalanche in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs last season? That's the type of moose that I want to see on the ice tonight for the Stars. Just unleash the full power of the antlers on the Jets.
Dallas Stars vs. Winnipeg Jets Preview: 2. Shut down Mark Scheifele and Kyle Connor
The Winnipeg Jets have two main sources of offense on their team this season: Mark Scheifele and Kyle Connor. I hope Oettinger doesn't get too friendly with Connor since they were teammates on Team USA this past February. Both players should be familiar with the Stars, as they have been in the division for quite some time. Oettinger needs all the help he can get against them tonight. Shut both of them down and pull out of the downward spiral tonight.
Dallas Stars vs. Winnipeg Jets Preview: 1. Phenomenotter mode
I know Jake has struggled in the last couple of his starts, but we need the Phenomenotter tonight against the Jets. Oettinger needs to get into a groove heading into the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Minnesota Wild. Dallas will likely face the Colorado Avalanche in the second round, given how the Wild are playing right now. We need a goaltender who's ready to win the Stanley Cup this season. Jake has the opportunity to shake the bad juju off of him and prepare for the playoffs tonight.