Jake Oettinger and Pete DeBoer will be one of the storylines to watch—and its outcome could define the future of the Dallas Stars for years to come
DeBoer’s words and actions have set the stage for an offseason full of questions. Will the Stars double down on their core and their coach, or will they pursue change to spark a different outcome next year? The relationship between
The decision to pull Jake Oettinger in Game 5 of the Western Conference Final will go down as one of the most controversial moments of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Whether it was a necessary gamble or a coaching misfire, its consequences are now etched in the Stars’ postseason legacy.
For Pete DeBoer, it’s a moment that will define his judgment under pressure. For Oettinger, it’s a challenge to prove he can rebound and lead his team when it matters most.
And for the Dallas Stars organization, it’s another offseason of hard questions — and perhaps even harder answers.
Also Read: Parents Of Jake Oettinger: Meet Chris And Kelly Oettinger
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Jake Oettinger Pulled in Pivotal Game 5
A Controversial Coaching Move
When Dallas Stars goaltender Jake Oettinger was pulled just over seven minutes into Game 5 of the Western Conference Final against the Edmonton Oilers, the decision stunned fans and analysts alike.1
With the Stars already trailing 2-0 after allowing two goals on the first two shots, head coach Pete DeBoer turned to backup goalie Casey DeSmith in an effort to stabilize his team. But the attempt failed.
The Oilers went on to win the game 6-3 and close out the series 4-1, ending the Stars’ Stanley Cup hopes for the second consecutive season.
A Quick Hook: Why Oettinger Was Pulled
Oettinger, who had been the team’s reliable starting goalie for the past several seasons, didn’t have time to settle into the high-stakes matchup.
Goals by Connor McDavid and Zach Hyman on Edmonton’s first two shots rattled the Stars early. Rather than wait and risk the game getting further out of hand, DeBoer made the swift decision to make a change.
The logic was clear: try to shift momentum and light a spark under a flat-starting team. But the effectiveness and psychological impact of the move remain heavily debated.
TSN Analyst Mike Johnson Sounds Off
Following the game, TSN hockey analyst Mike Johnson voiced sharp criticism of DeBoer’s decision. He argued that pulling Oettinger that early in such a crucial game could do more harm than good.
“You’re not going to light a fire,” Johnson said. “He’s not going to train hard and come back with a chip on his shoulder.
All he’s going to do is get pissed off at his coach and think that his coach doesn’t believe in him in the biggest moments, which may in fact be true.”
Johnson’s comments underscore a larger concern — the psychological toll such decisions can have on a goalie. In high-pressure games, confidence is key. A coach’s lack of trust, real or perceived, can shatter a player’s mental edge.
A Pattern of Postseason Collapse
What makes this situation even more troubling for Dallas fans is the familiarity of it. This is the second consecutive year that the Stars have been eliminated by the Oilers in the Western Conference Final — with Oettinger in net both times.
In 2023, Dallas held a 2-1 series lead before dropping three straight games. Oettinger struggled mightily during that stretch, allowing nine goals on 64 shots.
Fast forward to 2024, and the pattern repeated — only worse. Oettinger allowed 16 goals in five games this time around, with a save percentage well below his regular season standards.
While he wasn’t solely to blame, his performance raised questions about whether he can rise to the occasion when it matters most.
Jake Oettinger: The Emotional Impact on Him
Goaltenders are often described as the most mentally demanding position in hockey.2
A single mistake can lead to a goal, and the spotlight is relentless. For Oettinger, being pulled so quickly in such a pivotal game could have lasting effects.
While the 25-year-old has shown resilience in the past, the emotional blow of being benched early — not because of injury, but due to performance — can be difficult to shake.
If he begins to feel his coach doesn’t trust him, it could impact his preparation, confidence, and relationship with the team moving forward.
A Tall Order for the Backup
When Casey DeSmith was thrust into action, he faced a near-impossible task. Coming off the bench cold against one of the NHL’s most lethal offenses is never ideal.
While he made several key stops, the Oilers continued to pour on the pressure. Edmonton’s Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl exploited defensive gaps, and by the time the final horn sounded, Dallas had allowed six goals.
DeSmith did what he could, but expecting a backup to perform miracle saves in such a scenario is unfair. The issue wasn’t just goaltending — it was a total team collapse.
Oilers’ Offensive Dominance Cannot Be Ignored
As much as Dallas’ shortcomings deserve scrutiny, credit must also go to the Edmonton Oilers. Their offensive execution in the series was relentless.
McDavid, Draisaitl, Hyman, and Evan Bouchard all contributed in key moments. They exploited every weakness in the Stars’ defense and made life miserable for Oettinger and DeSmith alike.
Their performance was a statement. Edmonton’s top-six forwards outskated and outsmarted Dallas defenders, while their power play consistently found ways to break through. It was a masterclass in playoff hockey.
Jake Oettinger: Public Reaction and Fan Sentiment
Fan reaction has been mixed. Some sympathize with Oettinger, believing he was left out to dry by poor team defense and questionable coaching.3
Others feel a change in net is necessary if Dallas hopes to take the next step.
The vocal hockey community on platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Reddit dissected every move from Game 5, with many critical of DeBoer’s timing.
Some suggested the series was already lost when Game 4 slipped away, and that pulling Oettinger was a panic move rather than a calculated one.
The Bigger Picture: The Goalie-Coach Relationship
A strong relationship between a goaltender and head coach is crucial for team chemistry. If Oettinger feels betrayed or scapegoated, it could strain that dynamic. Trust is a two-way street, and if DeBoer’s message was one of doubt, it may take more than a summer to repair.
That said, professional athletes are resilient, and Oettinger has the pedigree to bounce back. How he responds next season — mentally and physically — could define his career trajectory.
What’s Next for Oettinger and the Stars?
The offseason now looms large for Dallas. Questions abound: Should Oettinger remain the undisputed No. 1 goalie?
Will DeBoer continue as head coach? How do the Stars address their defensive shortcomings?
Jake Oettinger’s future as the team’s long-term answer in net will likely come under internal review.
Despite his talent and regular-season success, two straight playoff exits at the same stage with declining postseason numbers raise red flags.
The front office must weigh whether this is simply a rough patch or a sign that they need more competition in the crease.
Also Read: Martin Biron: NHL Analyst’s Raw Prediction Sparks Debate Before WCF
Dallas Coach Pete DeBoer’s Statement on Jake Oettinger
A Deeper Look into the Stars’ Goaltending Shift
The Dallas Stars’ early playoff exit brought more than just disappointment to their fans—it also sparked questions about the team’s direction, leadership, and goaltending situation.
Central to this conversation is head coach Pete DeBoer’s decision to pull starting goalie Jake Oettinger in a pivotal game against the Edmonton Oilers.
DeBoer’s postgame comments illuminated his rationale, but they also raised broader concerns about the relationship between coach and player, the team’s future, and the pressure of playoff expectations.
The Decision to Pull Oettinger: Sparking the Team
When a coach chooses to pull a starting goaltender during the most crucial stretch of the season, it’s never a light decision.
Pete DeBoer made it clear that his intent was to ignite his team, which had been struggling with energy and execution early in games.
“Anytime you pull a goalie, the reasoning is always to try and spark your group,” DeBoer stated. “So that was the No. 1 reason.”
The Stars had stumbled through the early parts of their games, often playing from behind, and DeBoer’s frustration boiled over as the team faced elimination.
He hoped that shaking up the lineup would wake the players up and shift momentum. It was a tactical gamble, aimed more at jolting the skaters than condemning the goalie.
Jake Oettinger’s Playoff Struggles
The Numbers Behind the Move
The statistics painted a grim picture for Jake Oettinger through the first four games of the series.
His 3.55 goals-against average (GAA) and .869 save percentage were far from the standard expected of a franchise goalie, particularly one considered to be among the best in the league just a season ago.
DeBoer referenced not only the current struggles but also the historical trend of underperformance against Edmonton.
“The reality is, if you go back to last year’s playoffs, he’s lost six of seven games to Edmonton,” DeBoer noted. “And we gave up two [goals] on two [shots] in an elimination game.”
These are the kind of patterns that raise alarms—not just cold numbers, but a perceived inability to beat a particular opponent when it matters most. For a coach under pressure to deliver postseason success, those numbers demand action.
Turning to DeSmith: A Change in Net
Casey DeSmith was the man called upon to relieve Oettinger. It was a bold move considering DeSmith hadn’t played since April 26, when he also stepped in for Oettinger during a Round 1 loss to the Colorado Avalanche.
Despite the long layoff, DeSmith managed to stop 17 of 20 shots.
The performance wasn’t spectacular, but it wasn’t the point. DeBoer didn’t insert DeSmith expecting him to steal the game; rather, he wanted the change to have a psychological impact on the team in front of him.
Unfortunately for Dallas, the result remained the same—a loss and elimination from the postseason.
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The Fallout: Tension Between Coach and Goalie?
In high-stakes sports environments, moments like these can have lasting effects on player-coach relationships. Jake Oettinger has long been seen as the backbone of the Dallas Stars.
His heroic performances in previous playoffs, including his Game 7 masterpiece against Calgary in 2022, earned him a reputation as a big-game goaltender.
But public criticism and a playoff benching could potentially create friction. While Oettinger has not spoken publicly in detail about the benching, speculation has grown that the move could strain trust between him and DeBoer.
For a young goalie who’s given his all for the franchise, being pulled in an elimination game may feel like a betrayal.
DeBoer’s Larger Message: Change Was Necessary
- Beyond the specifics of the goaltending situation, DeBoer’s comments underscored a broader message: the status quo was not working.
- “It was partly to spark our team and wake them up and partly knowing that status quo had not been working,” he emphasized. “And that’s a pretty big sample size.”
- This was not a spur-of-the-moment decision. It reflected a coach’s frustration with systemic issues—lack of jump at the start of games, defensive breakdowns, and an overall sense of complacency. Whether or not the goalie change addressed those deeper concerns is up for debate.
- For Jake Oettinger, this playoff disappointment might serve as motivation. The young netminder has shown resilience throughout his career and could use this setback as fuel to elevate his game to another level.
- If he returns next season sharper, more focused, and more dominant, this chapter could be a footnote in a long, successful career.
- But he’ll need to prove that he can deliver consistent playoff performances—and beat teams like Edmonton when it matters most.
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