Latest news with #DeBoer
Time of India
15 hours ago
- Sport
- Time of India
Jake Oettinger says 'I'm the best goalie in the world' after controversial Game 5 bench sparks Dallas Stars Playoff fallout
Oettinger stands tall amid Stars' Game 5 controversy (Image via: Getty Images) In a postseason filled with promise, the Dallas Stars' campaign came to a crashing halt, not at the hands of the Edmonton Oilers alone, but in part due to a decision that continues to stir debate across the hockey world. Goaltender Jake Oettinger, the team's rock through four straight playoff runs, was shockingly pulled just seven minutes into Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals. The fallout has been nothing short of explosive. The fallout of DeBoer's decision lingers in Dallas With the Stars trailing 2-0 after just two shots, head coach Peter DeBoer made what many now call the defining decision of the series. Oettinger, a workhorse who had faced more shots than any other goaltender this postseason, was yanked early in favor of backup Casey DeSmith. The move backfired immediately, Edmonton struck again less than a minute later and cruised to a 6-3 win, sending Dallas home. DeBoer stood by his call postgame, saying, 'There's one motive, and that's how do we survive this and get it to a Game 6?' But for fans and analysts alike, the logic rings hollow. Oettinger was not injured, fatigued, or struggling throughout the series. In fact, he later said he felt 'as healthy as I've ever felt' and admitted to being both 'surprised and embarrassed' by the early exit. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch vàng CFDs với sàn môi giới tin cậy IC Markets Tìm hiểu thêm Undo The coach hinted at previous discussions about whether Oettinger needed rest due to illness earlier in the series, but ultimately, Game 5's decision was made in the heat of the moment. That moment, however, may haunt the franchise for years. While Oettinger remained composed in his response, emphasizing growth and accountability, the silence between coach and player after the loss speaks volumes. 'My job is to stop the puck. And I feel like I'm one of the best in the world, when I'm playing well, doing that. So that's all I'm in a focus on,' Oettinger said bluntl. Also Read: Madeline Gaudreau turns heartbreak into fashion with the First Line apparel collection, a memorial clothing line for Matthew Gaudreau The Stars have now fallen in the Western Conference Finals for the third straight year. But this time, the sting isn't just from the loss, it's from the sense that Dallas may have benched its best chance at survival. As the dust settles, this wasn't just a coaching decision. It was a turning point and the fallout is far from over.
San Francisco Chronicle
a day ago
- Sport
- San Francisco Chronicle
Stars goalie Oettinger surprised, embarrassed by pull in West final that DeBoer is still explaining
FRISCO, Texas (AP) — Dallas Stars goalie Jake Oettinger said Saturday that he was surprised and embarrassed when he got pulled from Game 5 of the Western Conference final after giving up two goals on the only two shots he faced, and coach Pete DeBoer was still facing questions about that decision two days after the season-ending loss to Edmonton. 'No one's a bigger fan of Jake Oettinger than me, as a person or a goalie,' DeBoer said. 'There's one motive, and that's how do we survive this and get it to a Game 6. And I have to live with those consequences. If it works, great, we're in Edmonton tonight and you guys are telling me how awesome a move it was. And when it doesn't, I've got to stand up here and do this, and I understand." Oettinger was pulled only 7:09 into Game 5 at home Thursday night after Mattias Janmark's goal put Edmonton up 2-0. The Oilers scored again less than a minute after Casey DeSmith took over on the way to a 6-3 win that set up a Stanley Cup Final rematch against Florida, though Dallas got within 4-3 a minute into the third period. 'The reality is if I make one or two of those saves, then I'm still playing in the game,' Oettinger said in his first public comments since. 'The way I'm looking at it is, how can I get better from that? How can I can make those saves that I made all playoffs?" The 26-year-old goalie has been to the playoffs in four consecutive seasons and won six postseason series. That stretch began in 2022, when Dallas took top-seeded Calgary to a Game 7, and Oettinger had 64 saves before Johnny Gaudreau's OT goal ended the first-round series. Oettinger had a .905 save percentage and 2.82 goals-against average while facing 503 shots in 18 games this postseason, by far the most of any goalie. Florida's Sergei Bobrovsky, in one fewer game, has faced 408 shots and the next-highest total is 292. Oettinger had a .909 save percentage and 2.59 GAA in 58 regular-season games. When DeBoer was asked Saturday about his conversations with Oettinger since the season ended, the coach said they hadn't had the opportunity yet to have one. Oettinger was later asked if he had any concerns about their relationship, and he responded by saying the whole experience is something he would learn from and that was going to help him grow to be a better person and goalie. 'My job is to stop the puck. And I feel like I'm one of the best in the world when I'm playing well doing that. So that's all I'm in a focus on,' Oettinger said. 'All 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, it doesn't matter. One of you guys could be coaching, it doesn't matter. Just try to be the best I can be, learn from the experience.' It was the third season in a row the Stars lost in the West final, and Edmonton also knocked them out last year. The Oilers finished the 2024 series with three wins in a row, and this time won the last four after Dallas won the opener. DeBoer said there had been discussions among the coaching staff before Game 4 at Edmonton about whether Oettinger maybe needed a break, and that the goalie had dealt with some upper respiratory issues during the series. While that didn't happen then, it was at least part of the quick in-game switch on Thursday, along with the recent playoff record against the Oilers. 'When you're in that moment, you're making that decision, what's going through my mind is, you know, we need to stop the bleeding here. Our team looked tentative. We're down 2-0,' DeBoer said. 'In the back of your mind, you know, is he a little bit fatigued, he's been through a lot. He's carried us through two rounds, is he going to be a better goalie in Game 6 and 7 for us fresh.' Oettinger said he felt great physically — 'as healthy as I've ever felt' — and felt like he could have played 40 more games. But he did acknowledge the potential mental grind of another long season.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Alabama Announces Big Kalen DeBoer News on Friday
Alabama Announces Big Kalen DeBoer News on Friday originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Kalen DeBoer is entering a pivotal second season as head coach of the Alabama Crimson Tide after taking over for Nick Saban in 2024. In his debut season, Alabama narrowly missed the 12-team College Football Playoff, finishing with a 9–4 overall record and 5–3 in SEC play. Advertisement The Tide appeared poised to make the expanded playoff for much of the season, but a late-season loss to Oklahoma ultimately dashed those hopes. While last season is now in the rearview, DeBoer has found himself back in the spotlight this week following the announcement of the highly anticipated College Football 26 video game cover, which features Ohio State's Jeremiah Smith and Alabama sophomore wide receiver Ryan Williams. In addition to the buzz around the cover, Alabama revealed that DeBoer — along with his offensive and defensive coordinators — has chosen to be featured in this year's edition of the game. Participation is optional for coaches and players, and DeBoer's inclusion further connects the Crimson Tide to what is expected to be a blockbuster release when the game launches in July. Advertisement Alabama's post on social media read, "They're in the game," tagging head coach Kalen DeBoer, OC Ryan Grubb, and DC Kane Wommack. Fans reacted to the news: "Love this. Much better," a fan said. Someone else added, "Roll tide! Get with the times coaches!! RTR." Another fan posted, "LET'S GOOOOOOO!" "I can't wait for Deboer to do this," one more fan commented. Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Kalen DeBoer© Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images EA Sports brought back the college football video game last season to great fanfare, marking the first release since NCAA Football 14 hit shelves in the summer of 2013. Advertisement However, the new game features significant changes, including the inclusion of player names thanks to NIL rules and the option for coaches to appear in the game, which has only boosted its popularity. Related: Ty Simpson Gets Massive Alabama QB1 Endorsement From Former TE This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on May 30, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Stars' Pete DeBoer hangs Jake Oettinger out to dry after ugly Game 5
The post Stars' Pete DeBoer hangs Jake Oettinger out to dry after ugly Game 5 appeared first on ClutchPoints. It's no secret that Jake Oettinger was not at his best in the Western Conference Final. He wasn't at his best in 2024 when the Edmonton Oilers beat the Dallas Stars in six games, and he wasn't even close to his best when Edmonton finished Dallas off in five games in the 2025 WCF. Advertisement Oettinger went 1-3 in the first four games of the series, sporting a brutal 3.55 goals-against average and .869 save percentage. And he didn't last eight minutes in Game 5, allowing two goals on two shots before being unceremoniously pulled by head coach Pete DeBoer. And the Stars' coach didn't pull any punches when speaking to reporters after a third consecutive series defeat in the West Final. '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 explained. '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.' Certainly harsh words from DeBoer, and you don't often see a coach calling out his starting goaltender like this. Yes, Oettinger deserves some blame, but the Stars had only scored two goals in three games heading into the elimination contest, so there's enough blame to go around. DeBoer added: 'Anytime you pull a goalie, the reasoning is always to try and spark your group, so that was the No. 1 reason. We had talked endlessly in this series about trying to play with a lead. And obviously we're in a 2-0 hole right away. And you know what, I didn't take that lightly.' Advertisement It was a nightmare start for the Stars, who were chasing the game all night long and were never able to get Game 5 back on even footing. And although the Oilers deserve a lot of credit, there were multiple forwards who disappeared in the series. Stars had a ton of passengers in West Final Although DeBoer threw Oettinger under the bus, key forwards Jason Robertson and Mikko Rantanen refused to do the same. 'We got to step up,' said Robertson, who scored two goals in Game 5, per Shawn P. Roarke. 'It's unacceptable for us to hang him out like that. I mean, all playoffs he's been our guy, all season. It's just unacceptable from us.' Advertisement 'We were not ready,' echoed Rantanen. 'We were not helping Jake at all on the first two goals. That's on us and not on Jake.' Rantanen didn't score a goal in the series, while Wyatt Johnston and Matt Duchene combined to be a ghastly minus-10. Captain Jamie Benn didn't record a single point, while Mason Marchment had one assist. Robertson was the only player who finished at a point-per-game, while Tyler Seguin and Mikael Granlund managed three points each. Overall, it wasn't even close to good enough from one of the NHL's best offensive units. It'll now be another long offseason after back-to-back-to-back Western Conference Final defeats. The Stars will again look to get over the hump in 2025-26, but first, they'll have to watch as the team that's beaten them two years running gets another crack at a Stanley Cup.
New York Post
3 days ago
- Sport
- New York Post
Stars coach Peter DeBoer under fire for controversial decision in season-ending loss to Oilers
This attempt at a spark fizzled out, and instead, Stars coach Peter DeBoer is now under the microscope. DeBoer shockingly benched starting goalie Jake Oettinger roughly seven minutes into a win-or-go-home Game 5 for Dallas on Thursday night after the Oilers scored two quick goals. The controversial move did not provide the desired result — Jeff Skinner netted a goal less than a minute later against backup Casey DeSmith — and the Stars were ousted from the Western Conference Final in a 6-3 defeat. 4 Peter DeBoer's gamble backfired. AP 4 Jake Oettinger gives up a goal Thursday. Getty Images DeSmith did not galvanize the team in his second appearance of this postseason, and Dallas has now lost in three straight conference finals under DeBoer, including back-to-back years against Edmonton. 'I didn't take that lightly and I didn't blame it all on Jake,'' DeBoer said. '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. So it was partly to spark our team and partly knowing that the status quo had not been working. That's a pretty big sample size.' Oettinger did not play well entering Game 5 and did little to inspire confidence by yielding two early goals, but pulling your starting goalie less than halfway into a potential elimination game is still a jarring move. Edmonton scored 2:31 and 7:09 into the game to grab a 2-0 edge, although both goals did not fall strictly on his shoulders due to the scores coming on a power play and a breakaway. The goalie stopped just 93 of 109 shots (.853) in the series after posting a save percentage of .909 during the regular season and playing well in series wins over the Avalanche and Jets. Oettinger stopped 90.1 percent of shots in last year's six-game series loss to Edmonton. 4 Casey DeSmith couldn't save the Stars' season. Getty Images 'It's unacceptable for us to hang him out like that,' Stars wing Jason Robertson said regarding Oettinger, per The Athletic. 'The whole playoffs, he's been our guy, the whole season. Just unacceptable from us.' Make it all the more shocking is that DeBoer went with a cold goalie in DeSmith, who had last played more than a month ago on April 26 to close out a 4-0 loss to Colorado in Game 4 of that first-round series. DeSmith yielded three goals on 20 shots, the latter two coming after Dallas had twice cut Edmonton's lead to one. 4 Jake Oettinger had a rough series. Getty Images ESPN announcer Sean McDonagh flatly said on the broadcast he disagreed with the maneuver, while analyst Ray Ferraro said he agreed with the move. 'He is your guy, but you can't stand here and do the same thing,' Ferraro said. 'You need to jolt your team. Somehow, you have to jolt them. You can only call a timeout, you can only change the line so often.' Some labeled the move as one of panic and desperation, and that it backfired raises questions about DeBoer's future in Dallas. While the team has reached the conference finals in all three of his seasons, it's fair to wonder if he's the right man to get the team to the Stanley Cup Final. DeBoer is now 2-6 in the conference finals, including six straight losses in the round. 'I think it's possible to be two things at the same time. I'm really proud of the resiliency of our group through the first two rounds … and I'm also disappointed that we didn't find another level, another gear here, another way,' DeBoer said. 'I think our group needs to go, coaches, players, and reflect in the summer what we can do better when we get to this point against the best teams. 'But there's no doubt the two best teams are playing for the Cup.'
