The season concluded for Jake Oettinger much sooner than anticipated. He watched the majority of the Game 5 series-ending 6-3 defeat to the Edmonton Oilers from the bench, next to ESPN’s Ray Ferraro, after being pulled just 7:09 into the contest at the AAC.

Oettinger allowed a power-play goal to corey Perry, followed by a breakaway goal to Mattias Janmark.

Two shots, two goals.

Coach Pete DeBoer called a timeout, expressed his displeasure, and then signaled to Oettinger to leave the ice, replacing him with Casey DeSmith.

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

Oettinger concluded the Western Conference finals with a 1-4 record and a.853 save percentage. DeBoer’s decision to pull him reflects the urgency to change the game’s momentum.

DeBoer’s assessment of the situation was notably telling.

“I didn’t blame it all on Jake,” DeBoer said. “But you know, the reality is 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. So it was partly to spark our team, and partly that the status quo had not been working.”

The Stars’ season ended with a similar result to the previous two years, losing to Vegas and edmonton, respectively. This year, they fell to the Oilers in five games after losing four straight.

“I didn’t say a word to him,” Ferraro said about Oettinger’s silence after the game. “There’s a time for kidding around, and this wasn’t it.”

While Stuart Skinner outperformed Oettinger in the series, it’s an oversimplification to label Oettinger as the sole reason for the Stars’ defeat. The team’s offensive struggles, particularly in crucial moments, also played a significant role.

Mikko Rantanen, acquired at the trade deadline, did not score against Edmonton. The Stars’ offense became overly reliant on power-play goals as the playoffs progressed.

“I thought we played two good rounds,” Rantanen said, “and then edmonton made it hard for us and we didn’t push through.”

DeBoer was candid in his evaluation of the team.

“On paper, we might have had the best team we’ve had here. But I’m not sure it was the best team,” DeBoer said. “The way we ended the season [seven-game losing streak] I think bled into the playoffs a little bit. which doesn’t sit right with me. We found a way to get through two really good teams,but that was a bit of a red flag for me.”

After a 9-9 playoff record this year, the Stars’ journey feels incomplete. Despite eliminating strong teams like Colorado and Winnipeg, the ultimate goal of advancing further remains elusive.

The Stars face ongoing challenges in a competitive Western Conference. despite efforts to strengthen the team,they did not surpass the defending Western Conference champions.

DeBoer acknowledged the strength of the remaining teams in the playoffs.

“There’s no doubt the two best teams are playing for the Cup,” he said.

With Carolina also eliminated, Stars fans are left to ponder what might have been.

“I didn’t blame it all on jake… it was partly to spark our team, and partly that the status quo had not been working.”