The two got along famously despite their wildly divergent paths to the N.H.L. Lehtonen was a prodigy who won a Finnish league title in 2002 with the fabled Jokerit Helsinki club before being drafted second over all by the Atlanta Thrashers. Niemi went undrafted before emerging with Pelicans Lahti, a fringe Finnish club in dire financial straits when he arrived.

Together they have formed the backbone of a high-scoring Stars club trying to win its first playoff series since 2008. Dallas opens against the Minnesota Wild on Thursday.

“It’s worked out great,” Stars defenseman Alex Goligoski said. “They’re probably best friends. They have the Finnish thing and they’re just both good guys. There is no selfishness. They’re just like everyone else in here, just trying to help the team win.”

That selflessness has proved key for Dallas in a league where teams have long relied on one workhorse goaltender. This postseason will be a showcase for big stars like the Capitals’ Braden Holtby, the Rangers’ Henrik Lundqvist and the Kings’ Jonathan Quick. The Stars, however, were not alone in employing a tandem this season.

The St. Louis Blues, who had the second-best record in the West, leaned on Brian Elliott and Jake Allen. The Red Wings shifted between Petr Mrazek and Jimmy Howard in their successful pursuit of a 25th consecutive playoff berth. And the Anaheim Ducks rallied from a woeful start to win the Pacific Division behind the youthful duo of Frederik Andersen, 26, and John Gibson, 22, which won the William M. Jennings Trophy for allowing the fewest goals in the league.

Coaches say a two-goalie system ensures that their goaltenders remain competitive and sharp should the call come to start.

“The system is about them; they’re both very combative, competitive guys,” Ducks Coach Bruce Boudreau said of Andersen and Gibson. “They both want to be No. 1, so every time they get a chance to play, I think they think it’s a statement game for them.