What happened to Jake Oettinger? Why Dallas pulled veteran goalie early in Game 5 vs. Oilers

Hot and cold streaks happen to all athletes at some point — they just hope that a cold streak doesn't pop up during the postseason. Unfortunately for Dallas goaltender Jake Oettinger, it did.

The veteran goalie has been ice cold in the Western Conference Finals against Edmonton. This put more pressure not only on him but also on head coach Peter DeBoer, who had to decide whether to bench his starter or stick with him ahead of a must-win Game 5. 

DeBoer went with the latter, putting his confidence in Oettinger despite the veteran allowing 14 goals through the first four games of the series. That confidence didn't last long, and Oettinger was pulled in the first period of a pivotal Game 5 where the stars were facing elimination.

Here's more on why Dallas pulled Oettinger. 

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Why Dallas pulled Jake Oettinger in Game 5 vs. Oilers

Oettinger got yet another start in Game 5 despite Dallas facing elimination and a 3-1 series deficit. DeBoer was asked if he would make a change in the net after Game 3. The head coach said that "we wouldn't be in the conference finals without Jake Oettinger," backing his struggling goalie.

Oettinger then allowed two goals in a Game 4 loss. He was once again in the net to start Game 5, but he was quickly removed after letting up two goals early in the first period. The damage was done, though, as after just being inserted, Casey DeSmith instantly allowed another goal, and the Stars' deficit increased to three. 

After the game, DeBoer addressed the move, saying: "Anytime you pull a goalie, the reasoning is always to try to spark your group. That was the No. 1 reason."

Deboer said he didn't blame Dallas' early deficit all on Oettinger, but he added: "The reality is, if you go back to last year's playoffs, [Oettinger] has lost six of seven games to Edmonton, and we gave up two shots and two goals in an elimination game. ... Status quo had not been working."

Pete DeBoer explains his reasoning for pulling Jake Oettinger and what his message was during his first period timeout pic.twitter.com/E33uNm4cZ6

— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) May 30, 2025

1st goal

Edmonton was on a power play. They were working the puck around the boards, and then Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl got the puck to Corey Perry, who had drifted into the crease. He put the puck on net, ricocheting it off Oettinger's glove and into the goal for a score. 

SCOREY‼️ #LetsGoOilers pic.twitter.com/v3kPu71sxr

— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) May 30, 2025

2nd goal

The second goal showed how quickly a scoring chance can come together. Defenseman Jake Walman had the puck deep in his half but sent it up the ice to Viktor Arvidsson. He tapped it forward to Mattias Janmark, who quickly beat Oettinger for the score. 

JANITOR 🧹 #LetsGoOilers pic.twitter.com/jtEoyWjidU

— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) May 30, 2025

Ultimately, DeBoer's move didn't work, as Dallas lost Game 5 6-3 and the series 4-1.

Jake Oettinger's comments

The Stars' goalie didn't comment on getting pulled after the loss, but did in the season-ending press conference with the media. He recalled that it sucked and was an embarrassing way to go out. 

"It sucks. It's embarrassing. Any time you get pulled, doesn't matter if it's playoffs or regular season, you just wanna go right off the ice, go into your bed, and not talk to anyone. 

I think for me, it's just the whole experience, just have to learn from it. It's going to help me grow and be a better person, be a better goalie. My job is to stop the puck. I feel like I'm one of the best in the world when I am playing well at doing that. That's all I'm going to focus on. 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, [this situation] doesn't matter. One of you guys could be coaching, and it doesn't matter. Just try to be the best I can be and learn from the experience."

Jake Oettinger stats

Regular season

Playoffs