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Multiple NHL players call out series-altering choice in Oilers Stars playoff series
Photo credit: Imagn Images
In a recent episode of Spittin' Chiclets, teammates of Dallas Stars' goalie Jake Oettinger voiced their opinions about the star goaltender being pulled early in a crucial playoff game.
Teammates claim DeBoer was wrong to pull goalie in Game 5 of WCF
Jake Oettinger was pulled from Game 5 of the Western Conference Final against the Edmonton Oilers on May 29, 2025, after allowing two goals on two shots in the first 7:09 of the game. The Oilers ultimately won the game 6-3, eliminating the Stars from the playoffs.
When Dallas coach Peter DeBoer commented on his decision, he began by saying, "I can't blame it all on Jake, but reality is he's lost 6 of 7 games," citing Oettinger's recent playoff record against the Oilers as a factor in the decision.
That may have been true, but he also started Jake in Game 5, allowing him very little room for error - 2 shots in fact, hardly enough to get a real feel for the game. It seemed more like a knee-jerk reaction by the head coach, than a calculated move, a fact which many Dallas players also believed.
HELLEBUYCK: I saw it, I didn't agree with it. I would have left him in. He's your guy, he's been your guy, he's got you to that point.
MARCHMENT: It was hard to see, hard to watch, hard to be a part of.
DUMBA: You think of your best players on the team, you want that guy on the ice. I thought that was a huge disservice to our team at that point.
MARCHMENT: It was hard to see, hard to watch, hard to be a part of.
DUMBA: You think of your best players on the team, you want that guy on the ice. I thought that was a huge disservice to our team at that point.
In a game where confidence is as important as skill, having the coach's support is critical, especially in the goal position, where the goalie stands alone.
"You gotta have your players' back," Hellebuyck said on the podcast. "I know as a goalie when your coach has your back you can feel it and it makes you care so much more about being on the team and doing all the right things for them, and producing for them."
Dallas Stars coach Pete DeBoer stated that the decision to pull Oettinger was made to try and spark the team after falling into a 2-0 deficit early in an elimination game.
The Oilers ultimately won the game 6-3, eliminating the Stars from the playoffs, with four more goals scored on Jake Oettinger's replacement; but hindsight is 20-20, of course.
Dallas Stars coach Pete DeBoer stated that the decision to pull Oettinger was made to try and spark the team after falling into a 2-0 deficit early in an elimination game.
The Oilers ultimately won the game 6-3, eliminating the Stars from the playoffs, with four more goals scored on Jake Oettinger's replacement; but hindsight is 20-20, of course.
| POLL | ||
OCTOBRE 15 | 630 ANSWERS Multiple NHL players call out series-altering choice in Oilers Stars playoff series Is it right to pull a goalie from a game after only 2 shots, even if they resulted in 2 goals? | ||
| yes | 383 | 60.8 % |
| no | 163 | 25.9 % |
| yes, but only if the score was 3-0 | 84 | 13.3 % |
| List of polls | ||
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