Heika's Take: Oettinger saves the day

Jake Oettinger saved the day on Thursday.
Nobody seemed surprised.
Oettinger, the 24-year-old goalie for the Stars, blamed himself for a 5-4 overtime loss on Tuesday and said he had to be better for his team down the stretch. He was that and more on Thursday, making 40 saves and leading a wayward Dallas team to a 3-2 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins.
It was both reaffirming for Oettinger and a wakeup call for his teammates.

"We've talked all year that it's about your response," Stars coach Pete DeBoer said. "The year is never going to be perfect. There are going to be highs and lows, and his response tonight tells you what he's about. We weren't going to lose that game and he made sure of it. He was our best player by far."
Oettinger needed to be, as a Stars team who has been leaky for much of the month really struggled in the first two periods. Pittsburgh had a 42-33 advantage in shots on goal and an 82-58 edge in shot attempts. It was a huge disappointment for a team who has been trying to find its playoff game and was facing a Pittsburgh team that played on Wednesday in Denver (a 5-2 win for the Penguins).
"I wish our group would have helped him a little bit more tonight and not left him with as many big saves as he had to make," DeBoer said. "But he was our best player and we found a way to win against a really good team that's as desperate as they come. So, we'll take the two points and hopefully get our team game a little bit better."

Some of the Stars' best players were making egregious mistakes, as Miro Heiskanen and Jamie Benn each flung pucks into dangerous areas, and the Stars as a team had 18 giveaways. DeBoer called out Jason Robertson, who had two assists, for also having too many reckless plays.
But Oettinger held strong and allowed a few skilled plays to stand out for the Stars. Robertson made a deft tip pass to Roope Hintz in transition, and Hintz busted in with speed, beating Penguins goalie Casey DeSmith. That goal held up until Pittsburgh tied things up on a Sidney Crosby goal in the second period. The score was tied 1-1 in the third, and Dallas had already fumbled a few power play opportunities when the Stars were given their third of the game at the 8:55 mark.
Dallas finally worked the puck around and Heiskanen sent a perfect pass to Joe Pavelski in front of the net for a redirection goal. Benn added a nice rebound goal less than two-minutes later, and that would prove to be the game-winner. Evgenii Dadonov fed Max Domi for a shot and Benn then made a nice recovery of the puck before stuffing in his 31st goal of the year.
It was huge because Pittsburgh cut the deficit to 3-2 with six minutes remaining. The Penguins pulled the goalie late and received the advantage of a late power play. However, Oettinger made some big stops and the team made some big blocks. Dallas finished with 21 blocked shots and even Tyler Seguin got in on the action.
The skilled forward was returning after missing six games with a leg laceration, and he clearly had to battle through the game. But DeBoer said plays like the blocked shot show just how tough Seguin is.
"He gutted it out tonight," DeBoer said. "He came back early from a tough injury. He wanted to be in the lineup and I give him full credit. He made a huge block at the end and dealing with what he's dealing with, to stand in front of a puck takes a lot of guts. He wasn't perfect, but I admire his courage and getting out there and battling with us."
Seguin said the game was a process and that he was happy to be a part of the team on the ice. A big part of that game was being able to watch Oettinger.
"He's just elite," Seguin said. "There's no reason for him to call himself out after last game. Even though he did, he responded. He's got a heavy workload and he's the backbone."

As for the whole process of blaming himself and then coming back, Oettinger said it's just part of his job. He currently sits fourth in wins at 31-10-11, ninth in GAA at 2.50 and seventh in save percentage at .918. He continues to be among the top netminders in the NHL in his first full season as a No. 1.
"I feel like I'm one of the best goalies in the world and I haven't shown that," he said. "A lot of people have been saying they think I'm exhausted, and no one knows how I feel except for me. I feel great and no one can say that about tonight."

It was an impressive response and it came at a big time for the Stars, who sit 39-19-14 and in first place in the Central Division.
"We didn't manage the puck well, and this time of year and against good teams, you can't get away with that," DeBoer said.
That is, unless your goaltender is spectacular.
This story was not subject to the approval of the National Hockey League or Dallas Stars Hockey Club.
Mike Heika is a Senior Staff Writer for DallasStars.com and has covered the Stars since 1994. Follow him on Twitter @MikeHeika.