Jake Oettinger and Connor Hellebuyck have transitioned from playing alongside each other to competing as rivals during the most crucial stretch of their season. Five games into the Western Conference semifinal series between the Dallas Stars and Winnipeg Jets, one goaltender has clearly stood out.
Oettinger made 31 saves in a 3-1 victory on Tuesday, giving the Stars a 3-1 lead in the series. Throughout the series, Oettinger has conceded only eight goals, maintaining a .929 save percentage. In contrast, Hellebuyck has allowed 11 goals with a .887 save percentage.
The pair were teammates for Team USA at the 4 Nations Face-Off in February, where Hellebuyck was the primary starter, playing three of the four games, including the overtime loss to Canada in the gold-medal game. However, given Oettinger`s performance in the current playoffs, their roles could potentially be reversed when the NHL players participate in the 2026 Olympics.
“Other than winning the Cup, that`s my No. 1 goal,” Oettinger told Scott Oake regarding the prospect of starting for his country at the Olympics. “A long ways from now, a lot of hockey left… I can worry about that when it comes.”
If Oettinger continues to play at this level in the playoffs, both his aspiration for a Stanley Cup and a starting position at the Olympics could become reality in the near future.
