However let there be little doubt who the most effective participant on the Edmonton Oilers is that this season: it’s the 49-goal man from Cologne, Germany, who scored twice on Friday to turn out to be a 100-point participant for the sixth time in his 10-season NHL profession.
Draisaitl’s second of the evening got here in time beyond regulation because the offensively strangulated Oilers gutted out a 2-1 victory in New York, a uncommon win throughout a timeframe by which the Oilers are scoring just like the Montreal Maroons — as if the ahead go is but to be declared authorized.
The 2 objectives prolonged Draisaitl’s factors streak to 17 video games (14-12-26), tying the longest streak within the NHL this season.
“Clearly, we have been struggling, and we have been struggling to attain. We have been struggling to defend exhausting and put factors within the financial institution,” Draisaitl assessed within the post-game dressing room. “I assumed for essentially the most half tonight, we have been actually good.
“We created much more (tonight), however proper now it isn’t falling. It isn’t getting in. However typically you want a sport like that — simply to grind one out and get going.”
With 17 Oilers forwards at some extent the place scoring a objective is as complicated as American international coverage, the pucks proceed to go in for Draisaitl, who’s an incredible 13 objectives away from the NHL’s second finest objective scorer, William Nylander.
After Ilya Sorokin robbed him a time or two within the early going, Draisaitl continued his six-shot barrage on the evening, burying his head and drifting a uncommon slapper previous the Islanders goalie to open the scoring in Interval 2.
He scored No. 49 in time beyond regulation on a play began by goalie Calvin Pickard, whose go to Draisaitl was laundered by means of McDavid, who despatched No. 29 in on a breakaway.
“Connor sort of intercepted it after which simply despatched it to Leo,” chuckled Pickard, robbed of the first help.
“I’ve seen Leon simply take management of his sport,” marvelled head coach Kris Knoblauch. “He is at all times been participant; he is at all times been dominant — top-of-the-line forwards each single evening. Now I’ve seen him step it up much more, which could be very stunning. As a result of if you’re that good it is robust to take any extra steps.”
Some perspective: Auston Matthews — an awesome participant and thought of by many to be the sport’s finest objective scorer — has two 100-point seasons, and two 50-goal campaigns.
Draisaitl has had six 100-point seasons, and his subsequent objective will make for his fourth 50-goal season.
If manufacturing is the gauge, then it’s actually no contest which is the higher participant.
Contemplate additionally that the Oilers assistant captain has spent a lot of the season flanked by Vasily Podkolzin and Viktor Arvidsson, two struggling wingers who’ve 14 objectives and 41 factors between them this season, in 115 mixed video games.
“You take a look at different star gamers and who they get to play with,” Knoblauch stated. “I do not wish to take something away from the gamers that he is enjoying with — tonight (Connor) Brown and (Corey) Perry had very robust video games. However he’s not enjoying with guys who’re making Olympic groups or All Star (video games).”
In a season that has been a 65-game wrestle for McDavid, the Oilers wouldn’t be a playoff crew with out Draisaitl’s manufacturing. Of his 49-51-100, 34 objectives and 70 factors have come at even power.
The Rocket Richard Trophy is on his shelf already, as Draisaitl and Nathan MacKinnon (102 factors) spar for the Artwork Ross. He’ll be up for his second Hart Trophy, whether or not the vote goes his means or not.
However attempt to get Draisaitl to speak about himself, and he turns into like most hockey gamers, deferring to his mates.
“I really like being an Oiler. It means the world to me,” he stated post-game. “And having teammates that perceive the best way I’m and perceive me as an individual — typically, clearly (it’s) not straightforward. I really like these guys, and with out them, none of that is attainable. None of this ever works with out your teammates.”
His key teammate on the evening was Pickard, the backup who received the beginning on a back-to-back for a crew that’s gone three straight video games on this street journey with out scoring greater than two objectives. Pickard made 24 saves and arrange the winner.
“He offers us an opportunity each single time he is in web, so you possibly can’t ask for greater than that,” Draisaitl stated. “We love enjoying for him. He’s a little bit of our coronary heart and soul man.”
“Big praise from a famous person,” Pickard stated.
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