Latest news with #Oettinger


Time of India
39 minutes 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
14 hours 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.


Fox Sports
15 hours ago
- Sport
- Fox Sports
Stars goalie Oettinger surprised, embarrassed by pull in West final that DeBoer is still explaining
Associated Press 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." Instead of a Game 6 in Edmonton on Saturday, the Stars had their season-ending availability in North Texas. 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. ___ AP NHL playoffs: and recommended


Hindustan Times
15 hours ago
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
Stars goalie Oettinger surprised, embarrassed by pull in West final that DeBoer is still explaining
FRISCO, Texas — 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." Instead of a Game 6 in Edmonton on Saturday, the Stars had their season-ending availability in North Texas. 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. NHL playoffs: /hub/stanley-cup and /hub/nhl


USA Today
15 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Stars' Jake Oettinger says it was 'surprising' he got pulled – but needs to 'do better'
Stars' Jake Oettinger says it was 'surprising' he got pulled – but needs to 'do better' Show Caption Hide Caption Are Edmonton Oilers Stanley Cup bound? Former NHLer weighs in Former NHL winger Riley Cote explains what he loves about this Edmonton Oilers team ahead of the Western Conference Finals. Sports Seriously Dallas Stars goalie Jake Oettinger's season ended unexpectedly when coach Peter DeBoer pulled him after he gave up two goals on the first two shots of an eventual 6-3 loss to the Edmonton Oilers in Game 5. In his first comments since then, Oettinger said Saturday that the move was "surprising" and that it was "embarrassing" that he ended up on camera so much afterward. But, he added, "The reality is if I make one or two of those saves, then I'm still playing in the game." Oettinger, who has signed an eight-year extension with the team, was pulled at 7:09 of the first period after Corey Perry and Mattias Janmark scored to give Edmonton a 2-0 lead. Backup Casey DeSmith played the rest of the game. DeBoer was blunt after the game in explaining the move. "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," he said. "It was partly to spark our team and wake them up and partly knowing that status quo had not been working. That's a pretty big sample size." Asked about those comments, Oettinger said in his season-ending news conference that he was going to use the experience to become a better person and a better 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," he said. 'All the extra's stuff is just extra stuff to me, so if I go out there next year and I'm the best goalie in the world, it doesn't matter.' While out of the game and sitting on the bench, Oettinger ended up on the national broadcast a lot whenever the ESPN cameras cut to analyst Ray Ferraro. "I was on the screen a lot more than I thought I should be," Oettinger said. "I don't know why they kept showing me. I'm like, I haven't moved in a half hour. "It's embarrassing. Anytime you get pulled, doesn't matter if it's the playoffs or it's the regular season, you just want to go right off the ice and crawl into your bed and not talk to anyone, especially in a moment like that." Oettinger and the Stars have been to the conference finals the last three seasons and lost all three. His takeaway from being pulled in Game 5? "The way I'm looking at it is how can I get better from that, how can I make those saves that I made all playoffs, how do I make them in that game at the start of the game to give the guys a chance to get their feet under them," he said. "As a goalie, that's your job. I've got to do better than that.' He added later: "Bad stuff happens to people. Life is tough. It makes it when you finally get that win, it makes it all worth it. Hopefully, whether it's next year, whether it's five years from now and I'm looking at you guys (media), we just won the Stanley Cup and I say, 'Remember all that BS. That was all for this.' "