Facing elimination in Game 5 of the Western Conference Final, Dallas Stars goaltender Jake Oettinger was pulled from the game just over seven minutes in by coach Pete DeBoer. This decision came after Oettinger allowed two goals on the Edmonton Oilers` first two shots of the contest. Backup Casey DeSmith entered the game in relief.
DeSmith allowed three goals on 20 shots for the remainder of the game. The Stars ultimately lost Game 5 with a score of 6-3, marking the third consecutive season that Dallas has been eliminated in the Western Conference Final.
Oettinger spoke about the controversial situation during the Stars` season-ending media availability on Saturday.
“It sucks. It`s embarrassing,” Oettinger stated. “Any time you get pulled, playoffs or regular season, you just want to leave the ice, go into your bed, and not talk to anyone.”
Prior to Game 4, DeBoer had mentioned the coaching staff considered resting Oettinger, noting he had played more minutes than any other NHL goaltender. DeBoer also expressed concern that Oettinger might have been dealing with an “upper-respiratory thing.”
However, both DeBoer and Oettinger appeared to dismiss any suggestion of a rift between them.
“No one is a bigger fan of Jake Oettinger than me, as a person or a goalie,” DeBoer said, though he also revealed they hadn`t had a chance to speak since Game 5 on Thursday.
“I think for me, it`s just the whole experience, just have to learn from it,” Oettinger added. “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.”
Oettinger did face challenges throughout the Western Conference Final, finishing the five games against the Oilers with a 3.20 goals-against-average and a .853 save percentage.
The Stars trailed in 15 of their 18 playoff games, which might explain DeBoer`s quick decision to pull Oettinger. On the other hand, neither of Edmonton`s first two goals in Game 5 were clearly Oettinger`s fault, with the second tally coming on a breakaway by Mattias Janmark.
Entering Game 5, Oettinger was coming off a solid performance in the previous game, allowing only two goals on 31 shots. However, the Stars` offense managed just one goal or fewer for the third consecutive contest, contributing to their 3-1 series deficit heading into the pivotal Game 5.
