In a critical Game 5 of the Western Conference Final, the Dallas Stars faced elimination against the Edmonton Oilers, leading to significant decisions by head coach Pete DeBoer. Goaltender Jake Oettinger was pulled after conceding two goals on the Oilers' first two shots, making way for backup Casey DeSmith. Despite DeSmith's efforts, the Stars fell to a 6-3 defeat, marking their third straight elimination in the Western Conference Final. Oettinger expressed embarrassment over being pulled, reflecting on his performance throughout the playoffs, where he struggled with a 3.20 goals-against average and an .853 save percentage. DeBoer acknowledged concerns over Oettinger's fatigue and health but emphasized his commitment to supporting his goalie. The Stars' inconsistent scoring, with just one goal or fewer in three consecutive games, contributed to their playoff struggles, leaving Oettinger and the team with lessons to learn for future seasons.