Stars Win 3-2

“That’s the playoffs. You have to win the special teams battle, you have to win the goaltending battle,” Dallas coach Pete DeBoer said. “This isn’t something we’ve turned on. We’ve got top-10 penalty kill and power play all year, just like our defensive game. This isn’t something we’ve dialed up for the playoffs. We’re playing a very good opponent, but it’s been good all year. It has to be. You don’t just crank that stuff up in the playoffs.”

Jake Oettinger made 25 saves, 11 of those saves came in the third period, including one on a breakaway by Chandler Stephenson with 2:42 left in the third period when he stretched out his right pad at the right post. Adin Hill had 22 saves in his playoffs debut in a strong effort but obviously fell short. Nonetheless the Golden Knights need Hill to step up to help keep their season going.

Matt Duchene put the Stars ahead 2-1 with a power-play goal at 8:04 when he backhanded a rebound through the five-hole from the top of the crease.

“I’ve had some looks so far after Game 2, a few in Game 3 there last game,” Duchene said. “I think our power play has been doing a good job. [Seguin] made a great play into [Johnston] there, had a good tip, and it’s just one of those ones you just fire to the net and it finds its way in. Going to the right places, going to the net, and every now and then you get one of those.”