Stars’ Jake Oettinger Admits ‘Embarrassing’ Feeling After Game 5 Decision

Stars’ Jake Oettinger Admits ‘Embarrassing’ Feeling After Game 5 Decision originally appeared on Athlon Sports.

Dallas Stars goalie Jake Oettinger faced the media on Saturday, two days after being pulled just seven minutes into Game 5 of the Western Conference finals.

The 6-3 defeat marked the end of the Stars’ season and the second straight year they were eliminated by the Edmonton Oilers in the conference finals.

The 26-year-old goaltender gave up two goals on the first two shots of the game, forcing head coach Pete DeBoer to make a decision.

DeBoer didn’t hesitate and pulled Oettinger in favor of Casey DeSmith, who allowed three more goals (on 20 shots).

On Saturday, Oettinger admitted the decision caught him off guard.

“I wasn’t expecting that to happen. It was surprising,” Oettinger said during the end-of-season media availability. “But the reality is, if I make one or two of those saves, I’d still (be playing) in the game.

“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 at the start of that game and give the guys a chance to get their feet under them?’ As a goalie, that’s your job.”

Oettinger, who sat next to broadcaster Ray Ferraro after being pulled, called the moment difficult to process.

“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 haven’t moved in half an hour.

“It sucks. It’s embarrassing.”

Dallas Stars goaltender Jake Oettinger (29) makes a save against the Winnipeg Jets during the 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs.Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

The netminder also described the aftermath as something he plans to grow from.

“My job is to stop the puck. If I go out there next year and I’m the best goalie in the world, it doesn’t matter,” Oettinger said. “Just try to be the best I can be, learn from the experience.”

Oettinger will enter the first season of an eight-year, $66-million contract extension signed in 2024. The 26-year-old goalie finished the season with a .909 save percentage in 58 games while allowing 2.59 goals-against average.

This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 1, 2025, where it first appeared.

Stars’ Jake Oettinger Admits ‘Embarrassing’ Feeling After Game 5 Decision

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