Dallas Stars head coach Pete DeBoer advised reporters he hasn’t spoken to all-star goalie Jake Oettinger since pulling him early in Recreation 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 powerful word however struggled in opposition to the Oilers, fading because the sequence wore on. His postseason got here to a sudden finish in Recreation 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 Recreation 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 along 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 recognize you’re going to speak to the media. So, it’s essential have that dialog and clear the air. Then you’ll be able to handle the media. I don’t know what they had been considering. And I believe 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 speak to Connor Hellebuyck in this kind of state of affairs. Or if John Cooper doesn’t go and speak to Andrei Vasilevskiy in a state of affairs like this. That will by no means occur,” Baron mentioned.
For his half, Oettinger advised reporters Saturday that whereas he was shocked to be pulled so early in Recreation 5, he understood the choice, noting that if he had made a save on both of the primary two pictures, he seemingly would have stayed within the sport.
Oettinger, who famous the sickness he was coping with didn’t hinder his efficiency, mentioned 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 displaying 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 wish to get off the ice and crawl underneath your mattress and never speak to anybody. However particularly in a second like that, it’s embarrassing.”
When requested instantly whether or not he had any considerations about his relationship with DeBoer transferring ahead, Oettinger once more selected to concentrate on his personal efficiency somewhat than handle his dynamic with the coach.
“I believe for me it’s simply the entire expertise is one thing I’m going to be taught from, and it’s simply going to assist me develop and be a greater individual and a greater goalie. My job is to cease the puck, and I really feel like I’m the most effective on the earth after I’m taking part in effectively. In order that’s all I’m going to concentrate on. All the additional stuff is simply additional stuff. If I’m going on the market subsequent yr and I’m one of the best goalie on the earth, then these items doesn’t matter. Considered one of (the media) may very well be teaching, and it wouldn’t matter,” he mentioned.
