Peter DeBoer’s immediate reaction to Stars’ crushing Game 6 loss vs. Oilers

The Dallas Stars were dealt a crippling dose of deja vu Sunday night, as they fell in six games in the Western Conference Finals for the second straight year. This Stanley Cup Playoffs run felt different, though.

Despite earning the top seed, the bracket demanded that they battle the league’s last two champions for a chance to even make the Finals. Dallas suffered fierce blows in the beginning of each series but dug exceptionally deep to trudge its way forward. The Stars’ postseason journey seemed destined to be defined by one word– survival.

But they could not survive the best player in the world, or their own offensive woes. Connor McDavid set the tone with a marvelous opening period in Game 6, leading the Edmonton Oilers to their first Stanley Cup Finals appearance since 2006. The play of Dallas matched its desperate circumstances, but a late surge was too little too late for this franchise.

Stars head coach Peter DeBoer is unfortunately familiar with the painful emotions associated with falling short of the sport’s most prestigious prize. That does not make processing this loss any easier, however.

“Gutted is the only word I can feel when you lose a game like that,” he said, per Sportsnet. “Proud of our group, proud of our fight, proud of our battle…They did leave everything out there. We should be going to play a Game 7, {but} we’re not.”

While Dallas flirted with heartbreak throughout these playoffs, the team consistently found another gear when the walls looked to be closing in. Ultimately, though, DeBoer and his guys get squished before a champion is crowned. Yet again. That heartbreak will soon be replaced by a dreaded sense of uncertainty.

"Gutted is the only word I can feel."

Stars head coach Peter DeBoer shares his thoughts on the Stars being eliminated in Game 6. pic.twitter.com/NjFbIp08uS

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) June 3, 2024

Big changes could be ahead for Stars

There is plenty to dissect and regret, particularly the Stars’ inability to capitalize on their offensive opportunities (outshot the Oilers 35-10 in Game 6 and could not breakthrough on the power play all series). Though, they are also faced with some burning questions this offseason.

Dallas could lose several players in free agency, including Matt Duchene, trade deadline acquisition Chris Tanev and, of course, Joe Pavelski. Retirement speculation surrounds the 39-year-old fan favorite (turns 40 in July), who could either tie a bow on an impressive career or skate for a new team next season. The impact Pavelski brings both on and off the ice would be difficult to replicate.

After earning 52 wins in the regular season, one short of their 2005-06 franchise record, the Stars may not feel they have to make big roster moves. Perhaps the squad is just a minor adjustment or two away from hoisting the Stanley Cup. Dallas has the talent to reach the apex, but sometimes change is the simplest way to ease chronic postseason pain.

When the bitterness of this latest gut-wrenching defeat does wear off, though, the team might find it wise to use Edmonton’s victory as its own personal motivation. The Oilers finally got over the hump in 2024. Can the Stars have their moment in 2025?

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