Head coach Pete DeBoer entered Game 5 of the 2025 Western Conference Finals knowing exactly what the Dallas Stars needed — shut down the Edmonton Oilers’ attack, give goalie Jake Oettinger some offensive support, and, most importantly, string together three straight wins.
After taking Game 1, Dallas had dropped the next three and found itself staring at elimination. But instead of mounting a comeback, the Stars faltered. Oettinger was pulled just seven minutes in, and Edmonton cruised to a 6-3 victory.
DeBoer’s postgame remarks, which many viewed as pinning the blame on Oettinger, quickly made waves across the hockey world and were believed to be a major factor in his firing that June. It was a sour conclusion to a tenure that still included three consecutive trips to the Western Conference Final.
Now, DeBoer is setting the record straight. In a sit-down with NHL.com’s Mike Zeisberger, he admitted he mishandled that press conference.
“When all the questions were directed at Jake, I should have shifted the focus back to the team. It wasn’t just about him — it was about all of us,” DeBoer reflected. “We had dropped six of our last seven games against Edmonton in the conference finals going back to 2024. I said Jake had lost six of seven, but that wasn’t fair. It wasn’t just him. It was everyone. I should have made that clearer.”
What Pete DeBoer Said About Jake Oettinger
Like all NHL coaches, Pete DeBoer addressed the media following the Stars’ Game 5 loss and elimination. His comments, however, drew attention for how directly they referenced goaltender Jake Oettinger’s postseason record against Edmonton.
“We had talked endlessly about the importance of playing with a lead, and suddenly we’re in a 2-0 hole,” DeBoer said. “I didn’t mean to pin everything on Jake, but the reality is that if you look back to last year’s playoffs, he’s lost six of seven against Edmonton. And when you give up two goals on two shots in an elimination game, it forces you to make a change. Part of it was to jolt the team, part of it was because the status quo clearly wasn’t working — and that’s a significant sample size.”
The remarks were striking, especially since Oettinger had been strong in earlier rounds, finishing the 2025 postseason with a .905 save percentage and 9.14 Goals Saved Above Expected, per Evolving Hockey. Fans bristled at the criticism, and ultimately, both sides were ready to move on.
Stars’ Oettinger Responds To DeBoer’s Comments
The NHL recently hosted its annual Player Media Tour, featuring some of the league’s top names. During the event, Stars goaltender Jake Oettinger was asked about Pete DeBoer’s recent remarks.
“I mean, I think he hit the nail on the head,” Oettinger told NHL.com’s Mike Zeisberger. “I agree with his reflection, and I’m glad he said what he said.”
With the controversy now behind them, Oettinger and the Stars are focused on the future. Confident in their Stanley Cup potential, Dallas is turning the page and gearing up for another deep postseason push. Their 2025-26 campaign opens on October 9 with a road matchup against the Winnipeg Jets.
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