ice Hockey
NHL playoffs: Draisaitl excels as the Oilers equalize
Leon Draisaitl (2nd from left) celebrates after his goal. photo
© ETHAN CAIRNS/The Canadian Press/AP/dpa
The Edmonton Oilers are back in the second round of the playoffs against the Vancouver Canucks. Last year’s finalist Florida Panthers takes the next clear victory.
The Edmonton Oilers are in the second round of the North American playoffs NHL professional ice hockey league managed to equalize. At the Vancouver Canucks, Leon Draisaitl’s team won 4-3 in overtime. This means the best-of-seven series is now 1-1 after games.
Draisaitl, who was still injured in the opening defeat and was questionable before the game, excelled with four goals. The German superstar initially equalized the score at 1-1 in the first third, before assisting Mattias Ekholm to make it 2-2 in the second third. With another preparation for the 3:3 by Connor McDavid, Draisaitl ensured that the Oilers moved into overtime. In this, the German finally prepared Evan Bouchard’s winning goal for the celebrated 4-3 final score. For the Oilers it was the first win in their sixth meeting with the Canucks this season. After the two opening games in Vancouver, the series continues with two matches in Edmonton.
In the Eastern Conference there was also a clear winner in the third game between the Florida Panthers and the Boston Bruins. As in the second encounter (6:1), the Panthers clearly won game three 6:2. After the 1:5 defeat at the start, last year’s finalists are heading towards the conference finals.