Dallas Stars head coach Pete DeBoer faced questions after removing goalie Jake Oettinger just over seven minutes into Game 5 of the Western Conference Final against the Edmonton Oilers. With the Stars trailing early after Oettinger allowed two goals on two shots, DeBoer made the bold move to replace him with backup Casey DeSmith, explaining it was necessary to shake up the team and address a troubling trend.

Early Goals by Oilers Prompt Quick Reaction

The Oilers capitalized quickly in the elimination contest, with Corey Perry scoring after deflecting a pass from Connor McDavid to give Edmonton the lead. Shortly after, Mattias Janmark took advantage of a poor line change by Dallas, finishing a breakaway to extend the Oilers’ advantage to 2-0. This sequence forced DeBoer to call a timeout and rethink his strategy, which led to the goalie change.

DeBoer Cites Playoff History and Team Performance

DeBoer acknowledged that Oettinger’s playoff performances against Edmonton had been problematic.

“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. And we gave up two goals on two shots in an elimination game,”

DeBoer stated after the game. He added that the decision was partly intended to energize the team.

“It was partly to spark our team and wake them up. And partly knowing that status quo had not been working, and that’s a pretty big sample size.”

Stars Teammates Express Support but Criticize Defensive Play

While Oettinger has been the Stars’ mainstay netminder throughout the playoffs, some teammates expressed frustration about the team’s defensive lapses. Forward Jason Robertson said,

“It’s unacceptable for us to hang him out like that. The whole playoffs, he’s been our guy, whole season. It’s just unacceptable from us.”

Oettinger’s Struggles Against Edmonton Continue

This was the second consecutive year Oettinger faced difficulties holding back Edmonton’s potent offense. Before Game 5, Oettinger had a .869 save percentage in the series, allowing 14 goals over four games. These results worsened after conceding two early goals in the latest game. Last season, he allowed 16 goals in six games against the Oilers, finishing with a .901 save percentage. Despite these setbacks, Oettinger has maintained strong overall playoff numbers, holding a .913 save percentage and a 2.53 goals-against average across 64 career postseason appearances before this series.

DeSmith Steps In Amid Team’s Decline

Backup goalie Casey DeSmith, who hadn’t played since the first round against the Colorado Avalanche, stopped 17 of 20 shots during his relief effort. Shortly after entering, the Oilers scored again with Jeff Skinner netting his first career playoff goal, pushing Edmonton’s lead to 3-0 and setting the stage for a possible back-to-back Stanley Cup Final appearance.

Series Outcome and Future Implications

The Stars’ early struggles defensively and Oettinger’s ongoing challenges against Edmonton ultimately contributed to their elimination from the playoffs. DeBoer’s decision to pull his starting goalie early highlights the high stakes and intensity of playoff hockey at this level. As the Oilers advance, their matchup against the Florida Panthers promises an exciting Stanley Cup Final, continuing the story for both teams in the 2025 postseason.