Oettinger makes NHL debut, replaces Khudobin in Game 2

Dallas Stars goaltender Jake Oettinger saw his first official NHL action Tuesday night, entering Game 2 of the Western Conference Final against the Vegas Golden Knights for the start of the third period.

The rookie relieved Anton Khudobin, who allowed three goals on 27 shots over the opening 40 minutes. The Stars trailed the Golden Knights 3-0 after two periods, and Vegas held on to win by the same score.

Oettinger became the first netminder in 55 years and the only puck-stopper since the start of the expansion era in 1967-68 to make his NHL debut in the round preceding the Stanley Cup Final.

The Boston University alumnus played 38 games for the AHL's Texas Stars during the 2019-20 season, leading all AHL rookies with a .917 save percentage. Dallas drafted the 21-year-old 26th overall in 2017.

Including Game 2, Khudobin has played 16 of the NHL club's 18 postseason contests in 2020, starting 15.