The Dallas Stars’ 2024-25 NHL postseason ended abruptly on Thursday after a decisive 6-3 defeat against the Edmonton Oilers in Game 5 of the Western Conference Final. The loss eliminated the Stars and sparked controversy when head coach Peter DeBoer openly criticized goalie Jake Oettinger, drawing sharp backlash from fans and analysts alike. The incident spotlighted tensions within the team and put the spotlight on DeBoer’s handling of his starting goalie during a critical moment.
How the Stars Fell Behind Against the Oilers in Game 5
After capturing a convincing 6-3 victory in the series opener, the Dallas Stars struggled to maintain momentum throughout the Western Conference Final. Edmonton responded with three consecutive wins, placing Dallas on the edge of elimination going into Game 5.
The Oilers dominated early in the decisive game, netting two goals within the first eight minutes to establish a 2-0 lead. Unhappy with Jake Oettinger’s performance during this rapid start, DeBoer pulled his starting goalie and replaced him with Casey DeSmith. Unfortunately for the Stars, this change failed to improve their fortunes, as DeSmith conceded a goal less than a minute after entering the net.
Despite a brief rally that brought Dallas within one goal at 3-2, the Oilers pulled away, scoring four additional goals to secure a 6-3 victory, ending the Stars’ playoff run. This marked the third straight season Dallas exited at the Western Conference Final stage.
Peter DeBoer’s Criticism of Jake Oettinger After the Loss
In the postgame press conference, DeBoer made pointed remarks about Oettinger’s performance not only in the series but extending back to their last playoff meeting with the Oilers. His comments stirred significant controversy among fans and analysts, as he appeared to partially place blame on the goalie for the team’s downfall.
I didn’t blame it all on Jake. But the reality is, if you go back to last year’s playoffs he’s lost six of seven games to Edmonton. We gave up two goals on two shots in an elimination game. It was partly to spark our team and wake them up, and partly and knowing the status quo had not been working. It’s a pretty big sample size.
—Peter DeBoer, Dallas Stars Head Coach
DeBoer highlighted a pattern of losses by Oettinger against Edmonton dating back to the 2023 playoffs, suggesting that the decision to replace him mid-game was intended to jolt the team. Despite noting he did not place full blame on Oettinger, the tone of the comments was widely interpreted as critical and unsupportive during a vulnerable moment for the goaltender.
While the goalie struggled against the Oilers in this matchup and the previous year, Oettinger’s overall performance this postseason remained strong: he recorded nine wins in 18 playoff games, maintaining a 2.82 Goals Against Average (GAA) and a .905 Save Percentage, ranks that place him among the better goaltenders in the league for the year.
Fan Backlash Emerges Over DeBoer’s Remarks
Following DeBoer’s comments, the reaction on social media was swift and critical. Fans took to X (formerly Twitter) to express their frustration with the coach’s public handling of a key player. Many felt DeBoer’s approach was harsh and detrimental to team morale.
That’s a really horrible and immature thing to say about any player
—Anonymous Fan
Several voices argued that DeBoer’s criticism unfairly singled out Oettinger while ignoring broader team issues, especially defensive breakdowns. Supporters of Oettinger emphasized his contributions during the series and questioned the decision to pull him mid-game only for the replacement goalie to concede immediately afterward.
DeBoer just cost himself the Stars HC job. Oettinger will never respect him again. You pull him and then get scored against 1 minute laterWhat a joke
—Drew Livingstone, Producer
Agreed- It was completely our D’s fault. Otter did the best he could. If he wanted to do something. Bench another player. Tell them to play or get off the ice.
—Lone Star RTA, Fan Commentator
Other fans recalled similar incidents from DeBoer’s coaching past, comparing his treatment of Oettinger with previous situations where he appeared to blame goaltenders during high-pressure losses, such as the public criticism of Marc-Andre Fleury during his tenure with the Vegas Golden Knights. Several suggested that DeBoer’s style of assigning blame on individual players immediately following losses could be harmful to long-term team cohesion.
DeBoer’s Continued Struggles in the Western Conference Finals
Peter DeBoer’s coaching record in the Western Conference Final has repeatedly come under scrutiny. With the Stars’ elimination by the Oilers, DeBoer extended a troubling streak, marking his third consecutive loss in the conference finals with Dallas alone. Including previous runs with the Vegas Golden Knights and the San Jose Sharks, he is now 0-6 in Western Conference Final appearances since the 2018-19 season.
Peter DeBoer as an NHL head coach since 2018-19:2018-19: Lost in WCF with SJS2019-20: Lost in WCF with LVK2020-21: Lost in WCF with LVK2021-22: Missed playoffs with LVK2022-23: Lost in WCF with DAL2023-24: Lost in WCF with DAL2024-25: Lost in WCF with DAL
—Ben, NHL Analyst
Despite his consistent inability to advance past this stage, DeBoer has had success reaching the Stanley Cup Finals. Early in his coaching career, he guided the New Jersey Devils and San Jose Sharks to the finals, though he has yet to win the championship. His repeated near-misses in the Western Conference Finals continue to prompt questions about his postseason strategies and ability to overcome elite playoff opponents.
Implications of the Controversy for the Stars and DeBoer’s Future
The criticism directed at Jake Oettinger underscores the pressure the young goaltender faces as a franchise cornerstone, especially after leading the team through multiple deep playoff runs. DeBoer’s public comments may affect the team’s internal dynamics and raise concerns about his rapport with players heading into the next season.
Oettinger’s praised playoff performances over recent years contrast with DeBoer’s pointed remarks, adding complexity to the star goalie’s future with Dallas. How the Stars’ management responds to this conflict could shape their offseason decisions, including coaching staff evaluations and potential roster changes.
For DeBoer, the ongoing Western Conference Final losses and now the fallout over his handling of Oettinger contribute to growing scrutiny over his leadership approach. Fans and media alike will watch closely to see if the coach adapts or faces potential consequences amid calls questioning his tenure.