It's been a down year for Jake Oettinger, but the Dallas Stars goaltender is certain he can turn things around down the stretch.
"I could let in 10 goals a game for the next five games, and I'll never stop believing in myself," he said, according to The Athletic's Saad Yousuf. "I know what I'm capable of. No matter what happens, what people think about me or say about me, I believe in my heart that I'm one of the best goalies in the world.
"It's up to me to show it now. I know I can do it. I know I can be one of the best."
Oettinger finished fifth in Vezina Trophy voting last season after an outstanding campaign in which he logged a .919 save percentage to go along with a 37-11-11 record. As a result of that performance, theScore considered him one of the front-runners to contend for the hardware prior to the start of the 2023-24 season.
However, Oettinger hasn't been able to repeat that success. His .896 save percentage through 43 outings ranks 47th out of 60 goaltenders to appear in at least 20 games this season. He also sits near the bottom of the league in goals saved above average (minus-10.15) and goals saved above expected (minus-7.76), per Evolving-Hockey.
Despite his struggles, Oettinger's 25 wins are the eighth-most in the NHL.
Though the 25-year-old missed 12 games with a lower-body injury earlier this season, he said he's grappled the most with the mental side of the game.
"It's been probably the hardest season, mentally, that I've had in my life," he said. "I feel like I'm putting a lot of pressure on myself and letting outside factors get to me and take the fun out of it."
He added: "If I can get back to being a kid and having fun in there, just compete and be more desperate and aggressive, that's what I'm working on right now. I'm trying to do my job and let guys around me do their job. It's been tough."
Dallas is once again one of the top teams in the Central Division, boasting a 41-19-9 record. Oettinger has started all 26 playoff games for the Stars over the past two seasons, and they'll need him in tip-top shape once again this spring.
Head coach Peter DeBoer said he believes Oettinger will be able to rise to the challenge.
"This happens to every elite goalie in the league," he said. "I'm glad it's happening now and not a month from now. I'm very confident that he's going to find his elite level again, at the most important time."
