5 takeaways: The young and the old(er) deliver in Stars' Game 3 victory

DALLAS --After the Stars and Flames combined for three goals in the series' first two games in Calgary, fans in attendance for Game 3 at American Airlines Center on Saturday were treated to an all-out goal fest. Fortunately for them, the result was a 4-2 Stars victory and a 2-1 lead in this best-of-seven series.

Joe Pavelski was a game changer, scoring two goals including the go-ahead/eventual game winner with 10 minutes left in the third. Jake Oettinger delivered a dazzling performance for the third game in a row, stopping 39 of 41 shots for his second consecutive victory of the series.
It marked the first time in three years fans were able to see a playoff game in person at AAC. The Stars made sure it was worth the wait.
Here are the five takeaways of the game.

TO THE FANS

The Stars were in hostile territory for Games 1 and 2 in Calgary. Stars fans made sure the feeling was mutual for the Flames in Game 3.
They packed American Airlines Center and roared when the Stars took the ice prior to puck drop. They erupted when Radek Faksa opened the game's scoring and reached a deafening clip when Pavelski scored the go-ahead goal (and eventual game winner) with 10 minutes left in regulation.
The fans were an unmistakable force all game long. So much so that Oettinger made it a point to give a shout out to sold-out crowd of 18,532 in his postgame press conference.
"They turned it up even more," he said. "They don't realize how much that helps us. We're going to need them again on Monday [for Game 4]."

PAVELSKI CAN'T BE STOPPED

Trailing by a goal with under 10 minutes remaining in the second period, Pavelski found a rebound in the slot and buried it to tie the game, 2-2. He may not be the biggest guy, but Pavelski's made a career of scoring in and around the blue paint.
This time, he picked up Miro Heiskanen's point shot for his second goal of the series. It marked his 63rd career postseason goal.

Then, with the score tied, 2-2, midway through the third, the 37-year-old cleaned up Vladislav Namestnikov's rebound on the power play to give Dallas a 3-2 lead.

He has three goals in the past two games, two of which serving as game winners.

OETTINGER DOES IT AGAIN

Even though his shutout streak ended at 128:44, Oettinger turned in an absolute gem in Game 3.
His 39-save effort elicited chants of "Otter! Otter!" from the Stars faithful, and it was deserved. Not only did he limit the Flames to two goals, but he also kept it a 3-2 game late in regulation with a blocker save on a Johnny Gaudreau breakaway.

He's given up three goals all series. Gaudreau doesn't have a goal and neither does Matthew Tkachuk. They had 40 and 42, respectively, during the regular season. They have four assists/points combined in the three games in the series.

THROWING THEIR WEIGHT AROUND

The Stars made sure the Flames weren't coming away unscathed. They dished out 44 hits in Game 3, six of which from captain Jamie Benn. In Game 1, the Flames were the ones who controlled the physicality, but the Stars matched it in Game 2. On Saturday, the Stars nearly doubled the 23 hits Calgary recorded.
We'll see what kind of effect that has if the series goes six or seven games.

GETTING IN LANES

The Flames had nine blocked shots in Game 1 and five in Game 2. They had 25 in Game 3. Calgary ranked 30th in blocked shots in the regular season. The playoffs, however, are a different beast.
Two of Dallas' three goals came off rebounds and one came off a tip. With Calgary's commitment to clogging up shooting lanes, the Stars are going to have to find a way to continue getting shots through traffic as the series moves along.
Great seats still remain for Game 4 on Monday 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.