3 reasons Calgary Flames won playoff series vs Dallas Stars

The Calgary Flames won their series against the Dallas Stars in seven games.

The Calgary Flames went into Game 7 confident. They fought hard all season to have the deciding game in their barn and boy, oh boy, did it ever play into their favour.

The Dallas Stars came into the series as the first wild card team. But they played like a team that could go on a deep playoff run. All credit to them for one heck of a series.

Stars goaltender Jake Oettinger stood on his head for his team. In Game 7, he faced nearly 70 shots. He only allowed three goals. He did everything he possibly could besides score.

Dallas captain Jamie Benn and fellow forward Joe Pavelski put on a clinic this series. Benn was good when he needed to be and in Game 7 he scored the opening goal 40 seconds in. Pavelski nearly ended the Flames’ season multiple times.

It was a game you knew Calgary just had to win. They were the better team all night and series.

They finally got goals from forwards Tyler Toffoli and Matthew Tkachuk. Calle Jarnkrok also had a Game 7 to remember despite not scoring. Goalie Jacob Markstrom played his usual best. And the Flames were able to whether defensive injuries when Oliver Kylington left late in the second period after falling awkwardly into the boards.

Before we look ahead to the Battle of Alberta, we’ll take one last look at three reasons the Calgary Flames won this series.

Head coach Darryl Sutter will want the Flames to be much better on the faceoff dot and defensively on the back check.

These are the three key things that helped the Flames win. And we’ll start with the goaltending.