Dallas Stars head coach Pete DeBoer advised reporters he hasn’t spoken to all-star goalie Jake Oettinger since pulling him early in Sport 5 of the Western Convention Last — a revelation that left TSN Hockey analyst and former NHL goaltender Martin Biron puzzled.
The 26-year-old Oettinger opened the playoffs on a robust observe however struggled in opposition to the Oilers, fading because the sequence wore on. His postseason got here to a sudden finish in Sport 5, when he surrendered targets on the primary two pictures in a 6–3 loss that knocked the Stars out.
DeBoer famous that the teaching workers mentioned doubtlessly sitting Oettinger for Sport 4 of the Western Convention Last, citing his heavy playoff workload and the truth that he was coping with an “upper-respiratory thing.” Regardless of all of this, Baron nonetheless finds it unusual that DeBoer didn’t search to debate the state of affairs together with his star goaltender.
“My first response is that it’s mind-boggling. I get that you simply’re not going to speak to him Thursday night time after the sport. And Friday, nobody is within the workplace. However Saturday morning, you understand you’re going to speak to the media. So, it is advisable to have that dialog and clear the air. Then you possibly can tackle the media. I don’t know what they have been considering. And I feel that is on Pete DeBoer and the group. Jake Oettinger isn’t going to knock on the door and ask to speak. Think about if Scott Arniel doesn’t go and discuss to Connor Hellebuyck in this kind of state of affairs. Or if John Cooper doesn’t go and discuss to Andrei Vasilevskiy in a state of affairs like this. That may by no means occur,” Baron stated.
For his half, Oettinger advised reporters Saturday that whereas he was stunned to be pulled so early in Sport 5, he understood the choice, noting that if he had made a save on both of the primary two pictures, he probably would have stayed within the recreation.
Oettinger, who famous the sickness he was coping with didn’t hinder his efficiency, stated he’ll use the setback as a studying alternative and even joked about how usually he was proven on the jumbotron after being pulled.
“I don’t know why they saved exhibiting me. I hadn’t even moved in like half-hour,” he joked.
He would go on so as to add, “It sucks. It’s embarrassing. Any time you get pulled, whether or not it’s the playoffs or common season, you simply need to get off the ice and crawl below your mattress and never discuss to anybody. However particularly in a second like that, it’s embarrassing.”
When requested immediately whether or not he had any considerations about his relationship with DeBoer transferring ahead, Oettinger once more selected to deal with his personal efficiency slightly than tackle his dynamic with the coach.
“I feel for me it’s simply the entire expertise is one thing I’m going to study from, and it’s simply going to assist me develop and be a greater particular person and a greater goalie. My job is to cease the puck, and I really feel like I’m top-of-the-line on this planet after I’m taking part in effectively. In order that’s all I’m going to deal with. All the additional stuff is simply additional stuff. If I am going on the market subsequent yr and I’m the most effective goalie on this planet, then these items doesn’t matter. One in every of (the media) could possibly be teaching, and it wouldn’t matter,” he stated.
