Last-Second Heartbreak: Draisaitl's Inadvertent Mishap Seals Oilers' Loss
Draisaitl's "Proprietor's Entrance" has been barricaded shut.
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It was a heartbreaking moment for Leon Draisaitl and the Edmonton Oilers as they suffered a narrow defeat in Game 3 of their NHL playoff quarterfinal series against the Vegas Golden Knights. With the last seconds ticking away, Vegas attempted the improbable, and Reilly Smith's shot from a narrow angle deflected off Draisaitl's stick, sailing into the net a mere 0.4 seconds before the final buzzer sounded. The Oilers went down 3-4, leaving Vegas just a whisker behind with a series score of 1-2[2].
"Defensively, we weren't up to the mark," Draisaitl reflected on his team's performance, before addressing his unfortunate role in the decisive goal. "It was just shit luck, a terrible bounce. I was trying my best to keep the puck out of the net, but it wasn't meant to be."
Record-Breaking Goal
Just two days prior, Edmonton had clinched Game 2 due to Draisaitl's overtime winner. Unfortunately, this time around, Smith's last-second goal surpassed Draisaitl's own feat, becoming the latest goal scored in NHL playoff history[3]. ESPN's database reveals that no goal has been scored later in regulation time in NHL playoff history.
"It's a crappy way to lose a game," Draisaitl conceded, having contributed two assists on Oilers' goals at 1-0 and 3-3. Draisaitl, ever the optimist, looked ahead to the future: "Tomorrow is a brand new day. It's great to be up 2-1. Our aim is to extend our lead to 3-1 in the next game, and then head to Vegas for the decisive battles." Meanwhile, the Carolina Hurricanes bagged a 4-0 win at home against the Washington Capitals to take a 2-1 series lead[1].
Source: ntv.de, tno/sid
- NHL
- Ice Hockey
- Leon Draisaitl
Tidbits:- The last-second goal by Reilly Smith of the Vegas Golden Knights was the latest goal scored in NHL playoff history[3].- In Game 2, Draisaitl's overtime winner helped the Oilers secure a 2-1 series lead against the Vegas Golden Knights[2].- The Carolina Hurricanes went on to win Game 3 against the Washington Capitals, taking a commanding 2-1 series lead[1].
- Despite the heartbreak of a last-second loss in Game 3 of the NHL playoff quarterfinals, Leon Draisaitl and the Edmonton Oilers remain in the lead, with a series score of 2-1 against the Vegas Golden Knights.
- In a twist of fate, Reilly Smith's deflected goal at the buzzer in Game 3 surpassed Leon Draisaitl's record-breaking overtime winner in Game 2, making it the latest goal scored in NHL playoff history.
- Despite his inadvertent role in the decisive goal, Draisaitl remains optimistic, looking forward to extending the Oilers' lead to 3-1 in the next game.
- In a separate event, the Carolina Hurricanes also secured a 2-1 series lead against the Washington Capitals, showcasing a tight race in the NHL playoffs.
- Draisaitl's performance in ice hockey, particularly in the NHL, has been impressive, contributing two assists in Game 3 and an overtime winner in Game 2.
