Stars' Jake Oettinger addresses Dallas' improvement ahead of NHL playoffs
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Stars' Jake Oettinger addresses Dallas' improvement ahead of NHL playoffs originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Dallas Stars goalie Jake Oettinger spoke to the media after the 3-0 victory over the Winnipeg Jets. Among other things, he addressed how the team improved compared to previous games.
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Oettinger, 29, said the team was able to maintain a high level for longer stretches, highlighting both the defensive and offensive effort from his teammates.
"I think we just played better for longer stretches, but, you know, more consistent. PK [penalty kill] stuck up big time. I mean, I really didn't have a lot going on on the kill, and, you know, so that was awesome. And yeah, just good defensive effort and then let the offense take care of itself," he said after the game on Thursday.
Stars goalie Jake Oettinger credits mental work, teammates in 3-0 win
The Olympic champion with the United States revealed that he has been working on the mental aspect of staying focused during games, noting that when he is not receiving shots, he simulates them in his mind.
"Lately, I think we've been trying to work on just staying in it the whole game. I mean, it's pretty easy to doze off and make sure nothing in the back of your net. So, just trying to stay focused," Oettinger said.
"If I'm not getting shots, I'm trying to simulate things in my head and try to kind of stay in it. And I thought I did a good job of that. And then, obviously, you knew they were gonna push, so I just tried to make a couple of timely saves so it didn't get close, and it just went good there at the end."
The Stars' goalie also highlighted the effort of players who do not regularly get minutes and expressed his happiness for them. Players such as defenseman Kyle Capobianco returned to the lineup.
"It's awesome. I mean, obviously, we're banged up right now. It's no secret. So, seeing guys come in and contribute is awesome, and there are a lot of great guys in here who can help us win. So, yeah, whenever guys get their chance and make the most of it, you're really happy for them."