Khudobin has been a backup for most of his career, so carrying the load is a bit new. However, he said playing in 25 of 27 playoff games helped get him ready for this season. He currently is not on the ice on off days, and instead sharpens his game with morning skates.
"We played like this in Edmonton, in bubble," Khudobin said of his routine. "We played every other day, so I like to get sweat and feel the puck in the morning before the game. And when you're playing every other day, next day (after game), you take a rest, do something in the gym. But (before game), I like to get the feel of the ice, like to get the feel of the skates, equipment, puck … and then just play."
Both Khudobin and Oettinger give a great deal of credit to goalie coach Jeff Reese, and even Bowness said Reese is a driving force in how the team deploys its netminders.
"Reeser and I talk every day and put a plan in place," Bowness said. "I have 100 percent confidence in Jeff's opinion. There is a plan in place."
Oettinger, 22, cleaned up in a couple of playoff games, but has never started an NHL game, so this will be interesting. The Stars have a back-to-back Saturday and Sunday at Carolina, and Oettinger will probably play one of those games. But Bowness wasn't ready to unveil his plan.
"We've got to make sure Doby is rested and playing the right games, and we've got to make sure Jake is playing," Bowness said. "This condensed schedule, everyone is going to face injuries, everyone is going to play tired, everyone is going to face times where the schedule hurts them. Those things are all in play for the team, but the decisions for the goaltenders are in place right now. But everything is written in pencil, you just go with the flow."
Oettinger said earlier he's looking forward to his first start.
