DALLAS -- For the first time in three years, playoff hockey returns to American Airlines Center. Not since Game 6 of the 2019 Second Round have Stars fans been able to see their team on home ice for the postseason. A run to the Stanley Cup Final in 2020 took place in the Edmonton bubble, and the team fell short of a playoff berth last season.
But this year, the Stars are back.
After taking Game 2 by a 2-0 score in Calgary to even the series, the Stars will host Game 3 in front of a raucous crowd at American Airlines Center. It all starts Saturday night with puck drop slated for 8:30 p.m. CT. Party on PNC Plaza begins two hours prior with live entertainment, sponsor activations by PNC Bank, 7-Eleven, Bud Light and TXU Energy, along with games and promotional items from the Dallas Stars Street Squad.
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All fans in attendance at the game will receive a free Dallas Stars postseason rally towel, courtesy of 7-Eleven, and a special LED bracelet, courtesy of Bud Light, to be a part of the special in-arena laser light show to begin following pregame warmups. Doors to American Airlines Center will open at 7 p.m. and all fans are encouraged to arrive early and be in their seats by 8 p.m.
Jake Oettinger has stopped 54 of 55 shots in the two games thus far against the Flames, good for a 0.50 goals-against average and .982 save percentage. At 23 years, 138 days old, Oettinger became the youngest goalie in Dallas Stars history to record a win in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, while he's only one of two netminders in franchise history to do so before their 24th birthday (Don Beaupre). Oettinger's riding an active shutout streak of 114:59, the eighth longest postseason shutout streak in franchise history.
"We want to build on what we did well in Game 2," said Oettinger, who stopped all 29 shots in Dallas' 2-0 victory on Thursday. "It feels great to come back with a win in Calgary. Now it's up to us to take care of business at home."
The downtown Dallas resident says he hopes to see plenty of green leading up to game time.
"I live right next to the rink, so I'm hoping to see a ton of green around the rink before the game," Oettinger said. "Our fans have been great all year, so I expect nothing less."
A select number of tickets still remain 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.
