3 reasons Calgary Flames won playoff series vs Dallas Stars

No. 3: Goaltender Jacob Markstrom put on a show for the Calgary Flames.

It was the battle of the goalies. As mentioned earlier, Stars Oettinger gave his all for his team. But, we cannot overlook just how good Jacob Markstrom was for the Flames.

Markstrom is nominated for the Vezina Award, which goes to the league’s best goalie during the regular season. He was able to put his award-nominated game to the test and passed with flying colours.

All season he was either breaking records or coming close to them. In this series he posted the highest save percentage in franchise history.

Yes, he did better than Stanley Cup-winning goaltender Mike Vernon and Stanley Cup runner-up, Miikka Kiprusoff.

He didn’t need to play like Oettinger. For most of the series, the Flames were in control. But you win in the playoffs with timely goaltending. And that’s what Markstrom provided for Calgary.

The Flames defensively collapsed a few times over the series. Some resulted in goals while others were great stops by Marky.

If Calgary wants to move on in Round 2, they’ll need to play better in front of their goalie. Tips and some terrible coverage in the defensive zone cost the Flames some goals. But when they needed him to shut down a breakaway chance or get the puck moving out of their zone, he stepped up.

Markstrom finishes round one with a 4-3 record, one shutout and one assist.