Recap: Oettinger's shutout effort helps Stars even series with 2-0 win

CALGARY, Alberta --After two games in Calgary, this is officially a series.
Delivering one of the stingiest defensive efforts all season, let alone the playoffs, the Stars shut out the Calgary Flames 2-0 in front of a stunned sold-out crowd of 19,289 at Scotiabank Saddledome on Thursday. It took a team effort from everyone in the lineup, including a dazzling 29-save effort from Jake Oettinger.

At 23 years, 139 days, Oettinger became the second-youngest goaltender in franchise history to win a playoff game after Don Beaupre (19 years, 202 days) in Game 2 of the 1981 Preliminary Round with the Minnesota North Stars.
It's apparent that nothing fazes Oettinger, who has all of two postseason starts in his career (both in this series). Through two games against the Flames, Oettinger's allowed one goal on 55 shots. In fact, after he gave up a power-play goal to Elias Lindholm five minutes into Game 1, he's been perfect ever since with an active shutout streak of 114:59. Per NHL Stats, only four goaltenders in Stars/North Stars history have posted longer runs in the playoffs: Marty Turco (167:05 in 2007), Ed Belfour (4x; longest: 164:35 in 2000), Cesare Maniago (138:57 in 1973 w/ MNS) and Jon Casey (120:49 in 1991 w/ MNS).
Oettinger got all the support he needed in Game 2, both offensively and defensively.
After getting shut out themselves in Game 1, the Stars finally broke through when Joe Pavelski opened the scoring at the 7:47 mark of the first period with a deflection that sailed over Jacob Markstrom's shoulder. It came off a heavy forecheck from John Klingberg, who forced Flames defenseman Noah Hanifin into coughing the puck up the wall. Jason Robertson picked it up, spotted Pavelski and the wily veteran angled his blade to chip the puck top shelf.

From there, the Stars got to work on the defensive side of the puck. They finished the game with 36 hits (to Calgary's 35) and 20 blocked shots (to Calgary's five). Michael Raffl and Vladislav Namestnikov were credited with four hits apiece, and Luke Glendening had four blocked shots.
As the third period dwindled down, Raffl raced down the ice and scored an empty-net goal to give the Stars a 2-0 lead with 1:09 left in the game.

The series shifts to American Airlines Center for Game 3 on Saturday at 8:30 p.m. CT Get your tickets now!
This story was not subject to the approval of the National Hockey League or Dallas Stars Hockey Club.
Kyle Shohara is the Digital Manager for DallasStars.com and writes about the Stars/NHL. Follow him on Twitter @kyleshohara.