Dallas Stars goaltender Jake Oettinger shared his feelings about being pulled from a crucial Game 5 of the Western Conference Final against the Edmonton Oilers. Facing elimination, Oettinger allowed two goals on the Oilers` first two shots, leading coach Pete DeBoer to make the swift decision to replace him with backup Casey DeSmith just over seven minutes into the contest.
DeSmith finished the game, but the Stars ultimately lost 6-3. This defeat marked the third consecutive season the Stars were eliminated in the Western Conference Final.
Speaking to the media after the season concluded, Oettinger described the difficult moment. “It sucks. It`s embarrassing,” he stated. “Any time you get pulled, doesn`t matter if it`s playoffs or regular season, you just wanna go right off the ice, go into your bed, and not talk to anyone.”
Coach DeBoer had mentioned before Game 4 that the team considered resting Oettinger due to his heavy workload as the league`s leader in minutes played and concerns about a potential upper-respiratory issue. Despite the coaching decision, both Oettinger and DeBoer indicated there was no personal conflict between them.
“No one is a bigger fan of Jake Oettinger than me, as a person or a goalie,” DeBoer commented, though he added that they hadn`t had a chance to speak since Game 5.
Oettinger emphasized his focus on personal and professional growth from the experience. “I think for me, it`s just the whole experience, just have to learn from it,” he said. “It`s going to help me grow and be a better person, be a better goalie. My job is to stop the puck. I feel like I`m one of the best in the world when I am playing well at doing that. That`s all I`m going to focus on. The extra stuff is just extra stuff to me. If I go out there next year and I`m the best goalie in the world, [this situation] doesn`t matter… Just try to be the best I can be and learn from the experience.”
While the early pull was notable, Oettinger did struggle statistically throughout the series, finishing with a 3.20 goals-against-average and a .853 save percentage over five games. The Stars` tendency to fall behind early in games throughout the playoffs (15 out of 18 contests) may have contributed to the coaching staff`s quick trigger, although the two goals allowed early in Game 5 weren`t entirely Oettinger`s fault, including one on a breakaway.
Prior to Game 5, Oettinger had delivered a solid performance in Game 4, stopping 29 of 31 shots. However, the Stars` offense managed only one goal or less for the third consecutive game, putting them in a 3-1 series hole leading into the elimination game.
