5 takeaways: Depth scoring, solid goaltending, playoff spot

DALLAS -- Michael Raffl picked a great time to break out offensively. The veteran forward scored twice, including the game's opening goal, to lead the Stars to a 4-2 victory over Buffalo.

What the win did was put the Stars in the second wild card spot, tied in points with Edmonton but with a game in hand. This was a game the Stars had to win considering where Buffalo sits in the standings.
Here are the five takeaways of the game:

MUST BE THE FRESH CUT

Maybe the buzz cut made Raffl lighter on the ice because he lit the lamp not once, but twice before the second period was over. It marked his first two-goal game in nearly six years (March 15, 2016 vs. DET w/PHI).

The Stars desperately needed scoring. Depth scoring is even better.

STRONG START

It's been a while - or at least it feels like it's been - since the Stars scored in the first period. They got on the board with a big goal from their depth players, a deflection from Raffl on a shot from Radek Faksa at the 12:35 mark of the opening frame.
The Stars were ready to play from puck drop, a message coach Rick Bowness preached prior to the game.

OETTINGER TURNS IN 38-SAVE EFFORT

Jake Oettinger was busy all game, but especially in the third when he was peppered with 23 shots.
But not once during the game did Oettinger seem flustered. His only two blemishes came off goals from Tage Thompson and Cody Eakin.
With the win, Oettinger improved his record to 6-1-1 over his past eight games and 8-2-1 in his past 11.

HINTZ REGAINS LEAD IN GOALS

Left alone in the slot, Roope Hintz is a bad, bad man. On a great pass from Joe Pavelski, Hintz had time and space to calculate his next move, and that was a shot through the five hole to give the Stars a 2-0 lead.
It marked his 23rd goal of the season, overtaking Jason Robertson for the team lead in that category.

TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS

Even though the Sabres have been putting up a good fight in recent games, especially two nights ago in St. Louis, this was a game the Stars simply needed to win.
They jumped out to 1-0, 2-0, 3-1 and 4-1 leads. They bent a bit during the third period, but Oettinger kept the Sabres at bay with a 38-save effort, 22 of which in the final frame.
Don't miss the Stars conclude their homestand on Wednesday against the LA Kings. Get your tickets now!
This story was not subject to the approval of the National Hockey League or Dallas Stars Hockey Club.
Kyle Shohara is the Digital Manager for DallasStars.com and writes about the Stars/NHL. Follow him on Twitter @kyleshohara.