Stars-Flames played tightest NHL playoff series among first-round matchups

CALGARY, Alberta — In the end, the difference was one goal.

During the Stars’ seven-game, first-round loss to the Flames, punctuated by a 3-2 overtime loss in Game 7 on Sunday, the final margin was just one goal. Thanks to one of the best series of all-time from goaltender Jake Oettinger, the Stars played the tightest series of the first round.

Calgary outscored Dallas 15-14 across the seven games, as Johnny Gaudreau’s overtime winner pushed the Flames through to the second round against Edmonton. In the 21 periods and one overtime, the score was within one goal 96.05% of the time. All seven games entered the third period either tied or within one goal.

“It was fun,” Stars captain Jamie Benn said. “It was hard-nosed, playoff hockey. We knew it was going to be a long series, would have been nice to find a way to win. That’s just how it goes.”

Stars defenseman John Klingberg: “It was a low-scoring, physical kind of series where every little detail mattered.”

The Flames carried play throughout the series at 5 on 5, as the Stars only had better possession figures among playoff teams than the Predators, who were swept out of the first round by Colorado. But Oettinger ensured that the series would be the closest series of the first round.

The Rangers and Penguins played within one goal of each other 80.22% of the time and the Panthers-Capitals series did so 78.82% of the time.

Some chances: Despite a horrid opening 40 minutes, the Stars had chances in the third period and overtime to win the game and the series.

Miro Heiskanen hit the post twice in the third period. Jason Robertson rang the crossbar, albeit on a second-period power play. Jacob Peterson generated chances in overtime. Joe Pavelski missed the net wide on a break in the extra period.

Flames goaltender Jacob Markstrom finished with 26 saves on 28 shots.

“We had our looks in overtime,” Stars coach Rick Bowness said. “We had a breakaway in the third period, we hit the post. Second period was obviously bad. We kept passing them the puck and they kept putting it on the net. The third period and the overtime, we had really good looks. We were going chance for chance with them and Markstrom made some big saves when he had to.”

In the third period, the Stars outshot the Flames 11-9 and had a 0.89-0.62 edge in expected goals. In overtime, the Flames had a 15-5 advantage in shots, though many of them came on the power play (Tyler Seguin was called for hooking) and during a fourth-line flurry.

“Go for it,” Klingberg said. “You’ve got to go for it.”

Benn: “Just trying to go for it. Obviously, the second wasn’t our best period. Played a better third period, and thought overtime was OK, too.”

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