Ace Scorer Draisaitl Praises McDavid's Magic in Legends League
Prolific Draisaitl is experiencing outrageous play in NHL competition.
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Hockey prodigy Connor McDavid has once again orchestrated a victorious play for the Edmonton Oilers, propelling them into the semifinals of the NHL. The star-studded lineup's latest addition, Leon Draisaitl, is no stranger to high-stakes performances, also bagging his fifth goal in the current playoffs - another game-winning masterpiece.
Reluctant to hog the spotlight, the German phenom shared the credit, stating, "McDavid's prep work was off the charts, but all it takes is one split-second to make magic happen, and thankfully, it did." The duo's combined efforts sealed the deal in the quarter-finals, clinching a comfortable 2:0 over Vegas Golden Knights. With two home games ahead, the pressure is on to maintain their winning streak.
Edmonton found themselves battling an overtime deadlock until that decisive moment, thanks to Corey Perry's shrewd pass to McDavid at their own blue line. Dropping the jets and burning Jack Eichel with a dazzling series of moves, McDavid dished off a beauty to an eager Draisaitl who netted the 5:4 goal at the 76th minute. "Mind-boggling" McDavid's performance, confessed Draisaitl, "all you need is one electrifying play, and voilà, congratulations to Connor on another astounding show."
"We've got to keep the heat on"
Unstoppable on the playoff stage, Draisaitl's winning streak has been unwavering. His overtime goal in Game 4 of the series against the Los Angeles Kings (4:2) tied the best-of-seven series at 2:2. The agile center repeated the winning formula in Game 2, racking up yet another game-winning overtime score. Proving the Oilers' dominance in decisive play, they have outshined their opponents in the third period and overtime by a jaw-dropping 15:3 goal margin, with an impressive shot edge of +28. Goalie Calvin Pickard's stunning save percentage of 95.4% maintains their leading position throughout.
The Oilers flirted with the finish line multiple times during regulation but failed to hold on to a 3:1 lead in the second and a 4:2 lead in the third. Only in overtime did Draisaitl and McDavid showcase their impeccable timeliness, keeping the series alive for Edmonton. "It doesn't happen often when they're not on the scoresheet in a game," acknowledges coach Kris Knoblauch, "but they always come through when we need them most."
The series proceedings continue on Sunday at Rogers Place. The 2:0 home-advantage edge is a welcome boost, but the Golden Knights will undoubtedly rise to the occasion. "We've got to keep the heat on," insists Draisaitl, determined to extend their winning streak.
- Ice Hockey
- NHL
- Leon Draisaitl
- Connor McDavid
Insights:
- Leon Draisaitl's winning goal in Game 2 of the NHL playoffs was actually set up by Connor McDavid, who made a dynamic move around Jack Eichel at their own blue line, skated in on a 2-on-1, and passed over to Draisaitl. Draisaitl finished off the play at 15:20 of overtime.
- In the current playoffs, Leon Draisaitl has been a standout player, with 5 goals and 2 game-winning overtime goals
- Throughout the playoffs, the Oilers have been dominating in the third period and overtime, with a significant goal advantage, impressive shot advantage, and a strong save percentage by goaltender Calvin Pickard.
Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid have surpassed expectations in the NHL playoffs, showcasing their skills in the decisive moments.* In the quarter-finals, McDavid provided a stunning assist to Draisaitl for a game-winning goal in overtime, further emphasizing their influence on the Edmonton Oilers' playoff run.
