5 takeaways: Contributions up and down lineup help Stars to Game 2 win

CALGARY, Alberta --Rick Bowness said the Stars wouldn't be able to win the series without taking one on the road.
And even though it's been just two games in this best-of-seven series, the Stars have taken home ice away from the Flames.

They finally broke through on Flames goalie Jacob Markstrom in the first period to take a 1-0 lead. Then, Michael Raffl added a crucial insurance goal with a minute left in the game.
But it was Jake Oettinger, the 23-year-old Stars netminder, who stole the show. He was perfect in a 29-save shutout performance to ensure there will be a Game 5 next week in Calgary.
Here are the five takeaways of the game.

STARS FINALLY BREAK THROUGH

It took roughly 68 minutes into the series, but the Stars got one past Markstrom on a deflection from Joe Pavelski to grab an early lead in Game 2.
It started with John Klingberg's forecheck, which forced Flames defenseman Noah Hanifin to make a clearing attempt up the boards. Jason Robertson corralled it, fired a pass to Pavelski in the high slot and the wily vet did what he does best.

YOU CAN CALL IT A SHUTOUT

If Oettinger's experiencing any postseason jitters, he's hiding them extremely well. He was nearly perfect in Game 1 and followed it up with a 29-save shutout in Game 2.
He's made 54 saves on 55 shots through the first two games of the series and is riding an active shutout streak of 114:59 - the fifth-longest in Stars/North Stars history.
After the game, he said the playoffs are everything he's dreamed of and more.

LAYING IT ALL ON THE LINE

Ice bags will be aplenty over the next two days because the Stars certainly left it all out there on Thursday.
They had the edge in hits (36) and blocked shots (20) against a Flames team that hit everything in sight in Game 1.
Vladislav Namestnikov finished with four hits and one blocked shot, but it was a beauty. As the puck made its way to the point, he timed it perfectly so that he'd lay right in the shooting lane of a slap shot. After getting up and making his way to the bench, Jamie Benn leaned over and gave him a tap. Then, as Namestnikov got onto the bench, backup goalie Scott Wedgewood leaned in, gave him a few words and tapped him on the back with his glove.

RAFFL ELEVATES HIS GAME

Raffl's taken his game to another level ever since puck dropped for Game 1. He got into a fight with Matthew Tkachuk that night after the Flames forward delivered a big hit on Klingberg. Then, he scored an insurance marker in Game 2 to even the series.
But it's more than just those two examples that describe Raffl's importance in this series because he's still doing all the unsung things - like blocking shots and killing penalties - that he's done all season.
Every playoff run there's a player who comes alive. Maybe this time it's him.

POWER PLAY STILL PRESSING

Like in Game 1, the refs weren't shy blowing the whistle. The Stars once again had trouble with the man advantage on entries and retaining full control in the zone. Their best chance came midway through the second period when Miro Heiskanen unloaded a one-timer from the top of the right dot that Markstrom turned aside.
There's a saying in hockey when players are mired in scoring slumps: gripping the stick too tight. That's what it looks like with the Stars' power play this series, but especially in a sequence with the normally silky-handed Robertson and Roope Hintz. Both players attempted passes, but each time the puck blew up on their blade.
Maybe all the Stars need is one on the power play to get the monkey off their back.
The series shifts to American Airlines Center for Game 3 on Saturday at 8:30 p.m. CT 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.