Jake Oettinger Admits Surprise After Bench in Stars’ Playoff Run, Vows to Improve Performance and Reclaim Starting Goaltender Role

Jake Oettinger has been the backbone of the Dallas Stars for the better part of the last few seasons, a steady force in net who’s helped carry the team through high-pressure postseason moments and earned a reputation as one of the NHL’s most promising young goaltenders. So when head coach Pete DeBoer made the decision to bench Oettinger during the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs, replacing him with backup Scott Wedgewood, it sent shockwaves not just through the fanbase, but through Oettinger himself.

Speaking to reporters after the Stars’ elimination from the Western Conference Final, Oettinger didn’t hide his emotions. The 26-year-old goalie called the benching “surprising,” a word that encapsulated the disbelief shared by many around the league who’ve come to associate Dallas’ success with his presence between the pipes. Yet, in the same breath, Oettinger held himself accountable.

“I didn’t play well enough,” Oettinger said. “I know I have another level, and when it mattered most, I didn’t get there. That’s on me.”

The decision to sit Oettinger came after a string of performances that didn’t match the standard he’s set in years past. While his regular season was solid—he posted a .911 save percentage and a 2.51 goals-against average—it was clear in the playoffs that something was off. Against high-scoring teams like Edmonton and Colorado, Oettinger looked more vulnerable than usual, often beaten clean or struggling to control rebounds in tight.

For DeBoer, the move was not about abandoning faith in his starter, but rather about giving the team a spark. “Jake is a competitor,” the coach said after Game 4 of the Western Conference Final. “We just felt like we needed a shift in momentum. It doesn’t take away from who he is or what he’s done for us. This is the playoffs—sometimes, you have to make bold decisions.”

Oettinger didn’t question DeBoer’s decision in public. Instead, he acknowledged the reality of playoff hockey and said that he intends to treat the benching as a learning experience, not a setback.

“I know I’ve earned a lot in this league, but nothing is ever guaranteed,” he said. “You’ve got to earn it every single night. And I didn’t do that consistently enough. So I get it. I respect the decision, even though it hurt.”

The hurt in his voice wasn’t hard to detect. This is a player who broke onto the playoff scene with a legendary 64-save performance in a Game 7 duel against Calgary in 2022, nearly stealing the series for Dallas. That showing cemented Oettinger’s status as a future star and gave the Stars the confidence to build around him. Over the next few years, he delivered in big moments—but this postseason exposed some cracks.

Some within the organization believe that fatigue may have been a factor. Oettinger started 59 games during the regular season and took on a heavy workload during the playoffs, often facing the highest-quality chances from teams with elite offensive weapons. His save percentage dipped to .892 in the postseason, and his goals-against average ballooned to 3.26, far below his usual numbers.

The team’s defensive lapses didn’t help, nor did injuries on the blue line that forced younger defensemen into critical roles. Still, Oettinger never made excuses. He took ownership of the performance and promised to come back stronger.

“It’s a long season,” he said. “And I’m not going to use that as an excuse. I pride myself on being there when the guys need me the most, and this time, I wasn’t. That’s what eats at me the most. I feel like I let them down.”

Oettinger’s accountability and maturity have long been considered strengths, and this latest episode only adds to his reputation as a leader in the locker room. Stars veterans like Joe Pavelski and Jamie Benn have praised Oettinger’s demeanor, calling him a “true pro” and someone who “gets it,” even at a young age.

“Jake’s a warrior,” Pavelski said. “We wouldn’t be here without him. One bad stretch doesn’t change that. He’ll learn from it, and he’ll come back even better.”

What’s next for Oettinger and the Stars is a crucial offseason. The team has a talented core and remains poised to contend in the West, but decisions will need to be made, including how to support their franchise goaltender moving forward. That could mean reducing his regular-season workload or bolstering the defense in front of him with more veteran help.

For Oettinger, it starts with taking a hard look at his own game. He said he plans to meet with coaches, study film, and train with his longtime goalie coach this summer to refine his technique and mental approach.

“I’m going to use this summer to reset,” he said. “I need to get back to being sharp every night, mentally and physically. That starts with looking at what went wrong and fixing it. No shortcuts.”

Oettinger also hinted at working on his lateral movement and rebound control, two areas that opponents exploited in the postseason. He noted that as teams get smarter with video analysis and pre-scouting, goaltenders must constantly evolve to stay ahead.

“You can’t just rely on being big or quick,” Oettinger said. “You’ve got to read the play better, be a half-second ahead. That’s where the elite guys separate themselves. That’s the level I want to be at consistently.”

The Stars organization isn’t panicking, nor are they signaling any shift in their belief in Oettinger as the long-term solution in net. General manager Jim Nill reaffirmed that belief, saying, “Jake is our guy. He’s proven it before, and we have no doubt he’ll prove it again. Every great goaltender goes through a rough patch—what matters is how you respond.”

Oettinger seems well aware of that. And despite the pain of being benched in a crucial playoff series, he sees it as a pivotal moment—one that could shape the next chapter of his career.

“It’s not the ending I wanted,” he admitted. “But it could be the beginning of something better. I’ve always believed adversity makes you stronger if you face it the right way. That’s what I’m going to do. No excuses, no pointing fingers—just work.”

His message was clear: disappointment, yes, but no defeat. The Dallas Stars still have a cornerstone in net, and Jake Oettinger still has every intention of becoming the elite goaltender he—and everyone else—believes he can be.

The NHL is filled with stories of players who stumbled and then soared, who got benched and bounced back. Oettinger aims to add his name to that list next season. The benching may have been surprising, but for Oettinger, the next chapter is about proving that it was only a brief pause in a promising career.