The Stars' X factor might be their most consistent player. So it goes with a very good player still waiting to achieve greatness.
Jeremy Swayman did not play in any of the four games for Team USA at the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament. As the squad's No. 3 goaltender behind Winnipeg's Connor Hellebuyck and Jake Oettinger of the Dallas Stars,
Oettinger struggled in his last start versus the Blue Jackets, but he handled things well Friday to pick up his second in in three starts. He's allowed 10 goals in that span on a total of 96 shots, so he hasn't been at his best since the 4 Nations Face-Off.
The Kings are generating 2.89 goals per game, 17th in the NHL this season.
Oettinger stopped 23 of 28 shots in Tuesday's 6-4 loss to the Blue Jackets. The sixth goal was an empty-netter with 32 seconds left in the third period. Oettinger was beaten just 30 seconds into the game by Kirill Marchenko,
Columbus is generating 3.25 goals per game in 2024-25, which ranks ninth in the NHL.
Read the recent NHL news and rumors about Jake Oettinger for fantasy hockey. Dallas Stars goaltender Jake Oettinger stopped 29 of the 31 shots
The Stars' road trip concludes with a stop in Columbus on Tuesday.
Oettinger will defend the road net against the Islanders on Sunday, Mike Heika of the Stars' official site reports. Oettinger will get the second half of Dallas' back-to-back after Casey DeSmith plays in Saturday's road matchup versus New Jersey.