The Stars’ season ended in familiar fashion as they dropped Game 5 to the Oilers 5-3 and were eliminated in the Western Conference finals for the third consecutive season.
The story of the game was Dallas coach Pete DeBoer’s controversial decision to pull goalie Jake Oettinger when the Stars fell behind 2-0 early in the first period. Backup goalie Casey DeSmith quickly gave up a goal of his own and, while they showed some life in a comeback attempt, the Stars could never dig themselves out of the hole.
Here’s how the hockey world reacted to Stars-Oilers Game 5:
Related:Ugly exit in Western Conference finals raises plenty of questions for Dallas Stars
Sports Roundup
Mavrik Bourque gets a high-sticking penalty on his first shift since Game 4 of the first round.
— Lia Assimakopoulos (@Lassimak) May 30, 2025
The Stars PK left Corey Perry wide open in the slot in back-to-back games. This probably wasn’t the best time for it to completely fall apart.
— Lia Assimakopoulos (@Lassimak) May 30, 2025
Stars are done. They’re going full Leafs right now. Insane move pulling Otter.
— Paul Bissonnette (@BizNasty2point0) May 30, 2025
The Dallas Stars entered this elimination game completely asleep, and the blame for that egregious failure needs to be pointed at the team’s leadership group
Full stop
— Derek Neumeier (@Derek_N_NHL) May 30, 2025
I wondered about the position and if Pete might think about doing something here. It takes guts to do it. But he had to if you ask me. You can’t go 1-3, 3.55, .870 in the conference final again. It’s a separate problem from scoring. For Pete to make that change that fast he had…
— Ralph Strangis (@ralphstrangis) May 30, 2025
After giving up two early goals, the Stars have pulled goalie Jake Oettinger and replaced him with Casey DeSmith.
It didn’t work. DeSmith promptly gave up another and the Stars trail 3-0 10 minutes into Game 5. 😬😬😬
(Via @sportsnet | #TexasHockey)pic.twitter.com/dUjM1uiqRz
— SportsDay Stars (@dmn_stars) May 30, 2025
If I’m Oettinger I’m requesting a trade TOMORROW. One of the best goalies in the league the last 5 years and you pull him after 2 goals in the most important game of the year? Insanity
— Kevin Cleary (@Krucial_Kev253) May 30, 2025
If you believe the Stars should make a head coaching change (I absolutely do not), you have to say who would be better than Pete DeBoer.
— Saad Yousuf (@SaadYousuf126) May 30, 2025
SHOCKER: The team paying 10M+ to Cody Ceci, Matt Dumba and Ilya Lyubushkin are having trouble defending in the playoffs
— Nathan “Grav” Murdock (@NathanGraviteh) May 30, 2025
Again my friends – there are no percentages to play if you’re Dallas. Conventional wisdom, when down 3-1, you’ll get beat.
I give Pete a lot of credit here. That’s not an easy thing to do but he couldn’t just stand there and watch that ship sink. #TexasHockey
— Ralph Strangis (@ralphstrangis) May 30, 2025
That Oetter move is crazy to me. Very crazy.
— Bob Sturm (@SportsSturm) May 30, 2025
big brain move by DeBoer to take out Oettinger 7 minutes for 2 goals that weren’t his fault just to immediately give up another goal pic.twitter.com/joxZDDKodL
— Dom (@DomKnowsPuck) May 30, 2025
This is just cruel. Dallas Stars G Jake Oettinger, pulled after allowing two goals on two shots in 7:09, has to sit right next to ESPN’s Ray Ferraro, who is doing his job by talking about Oettinger. Feel horrible for both of these guys right now. pic.twitter.com/iqha6khQhw
— Rob Sanderson (@RobSandersonPxP) May 30, 2025
Benching Jake Oettinger in this game is unforgivable.
I’d be livid if I was him. I’d be livid as a Dallas Stars fan. I’d be livid if I’m a player on the team.
— Elliott Geller (@ellgell) May 30, 2025
DeBoer just cost himself the Stars HC job. Oettinger will never respect him again. You pull him and then get scored against 1 minute later
What a joke
— Drew Livingstone (@ProducerDrew_) May 30, 2025
I’m sorry, but you have to ride or die with Oettinger.
You dance with the one that brought you
— Cam Robinson (@Hockey_Robinson) May 30, 2025
Luka gone. Rangers mid. Stars choking. Cowboys. What city POSSIBLY has it worse than Dallas, Texas right now?
— lynz (@lynziekate) May 30, 2025
Jason Robertson. Three goals in three games.
3-1
— Lia Assimakopoulos (@Lassimak) May 30, 2025
End of first: Oilers 3, Stars 1
About the worst start possible to game you need to win to save your season.
— Lia Assimakopoulos (@Lassimak) May 30, 2025
Again my friends – there are no percentages to play if you’re Dallas. Conventional wisdom, when down 3-1, you’ll get beat.
I give Pete a lot of credit here. That’s not an easy thing to do but he couldn’t just stand there and watch that ship sink. #TexasHockey
— Ralph Strangis (@ralphstrangis) May 30, 2025
Tic-tac-toe
Roope Hintz scores on the power play.
Somehow, we have a game.
3-2
— Lia Assimakopoulos (@Lassimak) May 30, 2025
Connor McDavid and Roope Hintz, two of the fastest in the game, race to a loose puck.
McDavid wins, scoops and scores.
4-2 Oilers
— Lia Assimakopoulos (@Lassimak) May 30, 2025
End of second: Oilers 4, Stars 2
20 minutes to save the season.
— Lia Assimakopoulos (@Lassimak) May 30, 2025
Jason Robertson has absolutely come to play this series.
His second of the night and fourth in three games makes it a one-goal game.
4-3
— Lia Assimakopoulos (@Lassimak) May 30, 2025
Bad bounce off Esa Lindell’s skate and in.
5-3 Oilers
— Lia Assimakopoulos (@Lassimak) May 30, 2025
Final: Oilers 5, Stars 3
The Dallas Stars’ season comes to an end in the Western Conference finals for the third straight year.
They’re the first team to make the WCF three years a row without hoisting the Cup.
Edmonton will face Florida in a rematch of last year’s final. pic.twitter.com/iY8ro5EAD7
— Lia Assimakopoulos (@Lassimak) May 30, 2025
Stars captain Jamie Benn is the last to leave the ice — in what could be his last time.
Benn, 35, is a UFA this summer. pic.twitter.com/ogZTjDSUwC
— Lia Assimakopoulos (@Lassimak) May 30, 2025
The Dallas Stars have $4.95M of salary cap space with Duchene, Granlund, Benn, Dadonov and Blackwell as UFA’s and Bourque as a RFA. pic.twitter.com/RkhO3lDjE3
— Mike Bartner (@MikeBartner) May 30, 2025
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