Oettinger’s Stellar Shootout Performance Pushes Stars to Seventh Straight Win Against Canadiens
The Dallas Stars continue to dominate with their seventh consecutive win, edging past the Montreal Canadiens in a thrilling shootout, 2-1, at the Bell Centre on Saturday. This victory marks another milestone in what has been an impressive stretch for the Stars, as they extend their winning streak to seven games.
Goaltender Jake Oettinger was the star of the night, stopping 30 shots during regulation and overtime, and then delivering a perfect performance in the shootout. Oettinger denied all three Canadiens shooters—Patrik Laine, Cole Caufield, and Nick Suzuki—securing the victory for Dallas. Jason Robertson was the lone scorer in the shootout, sealing the deal and extending the Stars’ impressive form, which includes a five-game road winning streak.
The game unfolded with a tense first half, as both teams’ goaltenders, Oettinger for Dallas and Sam Montembeault for Montreal, put on an exceptional display. It wasn’t until the latter part of the second period that the deadlock was broken. With just under five minutes remaining in the middle frame, the Canadiens took advantage of a 5-on-3 power play, and Laine, returning from a four-game illness absence, scored his ninth goal of the season, all of which have been on the power play. The assist came from Nick Suzuki and Lane Hutson, with Laine’s goal continuing his strong performance against the Stars, having now netted 20 goals in 29 career games against them.
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However, the lead didn’t last long. Less than two minutes later, the Stars responded. Jamie Benn, extending his own point streak to five games, tied it up with a wrist shot past Montembeault after a swift 2-on-1 rush, aided by rookie Mavrik Bourque’s pass. The Stars’ defense and Oettinger’s outstanding play in net kept Montreal’s offense in check as the game progressed to overtime and ultimately the shootout.
Despite Montreal’s valiant effort, including Laine’s return and a strong performance from Montembeault, the Canadiens couldn’t capitalize on their opportunities. Montreal had a three-game winning streak heading into this contest, all of which were settled in overtime or a shootout, but they fell short in this tight battle.
For Dallas, this win keeps them firmly in the race for the top spots in the Central Division. With 55 points, they remain six points behind the first-place Winnipeg Jets. Coach Pete DeBoer emphasized the importance of the points as the Stars continue to climb up the standings after a slow start to the season. “You’ve got to put together streaks like this, and when you get on one, you want to keep it going as long as possible,” DeBoer said.
As for Montreal, despite the loss, there were positive takeaways. Laine’s return was a welcome sight, and the team played a mature game, as noted by coach Martin St. Louis. The Canadiens remain competitive, and this game provided a valuable point in their continued battle for playoff positioning.
The Stars’ resilience, paired with Oettinger’s heroics in the shootout, pushed them past the Canadiens to secure another important win. The two teams will face off again on Thursday in Dallas, where the Canadiens will look to bounce back and finish their season series with the Stars on a stronger note.
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