Sun May 18 02:20:00 UTC 2025: **Dallas Stars Goalie Jake Oettinger’s Mental Game and Olympic Prospects Shine in Playoff Run**
DALLAS – As the Dallas Stars continue their playoff push, goalie Jake Oettinger’s calm demeanor and unique mental game are drawing attention. Oettinger revealed he talks to himself throughout games, repeating mantras like “Just make that next save” to stay focused, especially during lulls in the action.
This tactic seems to be working. Oettinger’s composure under pressure is a significant asset for the Stars, leading coach Pete DeBoer to praise his ability to elevate his game in crucial moments. His playoff record over the last four seasons places him among the league’s elite goaltenders.
The article also raises the question of who should be Team USA’s starting goalie at the 2026 Milan Olympics: Oettinger or Winnipeg Jets star Connor Hellebuyck. While Hellebuyck has the edge in regular season accolades, his postseason struggles contrast sharply with Oettinger’s reliability in big games. Hellebuyck’s road woes in the current playoffs are particularly concerning. The piece argues that Oettinger’s proven ability to handle pressure makes him the more trustworthy choice for Team USA.
“It’s becoming clearer every day that Oettinger should be the Americans’ choice in goal next February at the Milan Olympics.”
With the Olympics looming, the performance of both goalies during this playoff series will be closely scrutinized by Team USA management. The author suggests that entrusting the starting job to Hellebuyck would be “managerial malpractice” by general manager Bill Guerin and coach Mike Sullivan, due to his past performance on the biggest stages. The writer concludes that based on current performance, the top spot on the American depth chart must belong to Oettinger.
First Piper 