Leon Draisaitl is scoring objectives within the NHL playoffs at a fee not seen in 4 a long time.
The huge German has 13 objectives by means of Edmonton’s first 10 video games, probably the most since Mark Messier scored 14 in 1983 and the third-highest whole by means of 10 video games in additional than a century. Newsy Lalonde had 17 in 1919.
If the Oilers — now tied at two video games apiece with Vegas within the second spherical — attain the Stanley Cup Final, Draisaitl might blow previous the document of 19 objectives set by Philadelphia’s Reggie Leach in 1976 and matched by Edmonton’s Jarri Kurri in 1985.
“There’s almost nothing that Draisaitl does anymore that surprises me,” retired player-turned-analyst Ray Ferraro mentioned. “He’s an amazing player.”
How superb? Oilers teammate Connor McDavid just lately known as Draisaitl “the best player in the world a lot of nights,” excessive reward from the participant on the verge of being named league MVP for the third time.
“Obviously he’s playing on another level,” McDavid mentioned.
Draisaitl’s success hasn’t precisely come out of nowhere. The 27-year-old from Cologne led all scorers with 110 factors in 71 video games in 2019-20 earlier than the season was reduce brief due to the pandemic after which gained the Hart Trophy as MVP.
Doing this within the playoffs is simply displaying what Draisaitl can do on an even bigger stage.
“I just think he raises his game, elevates his game at this time of year,” coach Jay Woodcroft instructed reporters after Draisaitl’s four-goal sport within the second-round sequence opener.
Draisaitl led all gamers with 25 assists within the playoffs final 12 months (and with 32 factors was only one behind McDavid within the scoring race) regardless of taking part in by means of a high-ankle sprain and Edmonton shedding to eventual champion Colorado in a sweep within the Western Conference remaining.
During the primary spherical this spring, Draisaitl instructed reporters with a smile and mushy chuckle he feels rather a lot higher, “especially my leg.”
“It’s nice to feel this way,” he mentioned. “I’m feeling good, feeling healthy and, knock on wood, hopefully it stays that way.”
Draisaitl could have spoken too quickly. He was on the receiving finish of a slash late in Edmonton’s 4-1 victory Wednesday evening from Golden Knights defenseman Alex Pietrangelo, who was ejected and could possibly be suspended.
Draisaitl appeared to brush it off and left the ice smiling. His teammates who was tasked with defending him are, too, now that it’s now not their job. Watching from afar, former Edmonton winger Jesse Puljujarvi isn’t stunned.
“He’s been really good this playoffs to make those plays: His stuff is unreal,” mentioned Puljujarvi, who’s now with Carolina. “The power play’s working and he’s got a couple 5-on-5s, too. He’s getting all those goals.”
How he’s getting them is spectacular, too. Seven of Draisaitl’s objectives are at even power, with six approaching the ability play.
Ferraro, who scored 4 objectives in a playoff sport his group misplaced again in 1993, has observed Draisaitl choosing up a quickness to his stride that has helped evade defenders and get open.
“Now he loses guys on the cycle way better than he ever did, and he doesn’t need more than a couple of feet,” Ferraro mentioned. “As soon as he loses the guy, he’s now a danger to shoot from anywhere and he’s just got an amazing, amazing shot.”
It’s a shot that might carry the Oilers on their deepest playoff run since 2006 and will ship the franchise’s sixth championship. Draisaitl downplays his personal accolades with a give attention to the subsequent aim and one after that.
“Just get ready for the next one,” he mentioned at a postgame information convention final week. “You do your part and try to do it as good as you can every night and you move on.”
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