German ice hockey player Leon Drysitl qualified for the National Hockey League semi-finals with the Edmonton Oilers.
The Oilers defeated the Calgary Flames 5-4 (0-1, 4-3, 0-0) after overtime in Game Five of the second round and won the set 4-1. The Oilers are in the North American Professional Hockey League semi-finals for the first time since the 2005-06 season.
“The whole team has done a fantastic job,” said Draisaitl, who was in the NHL semi-finals for the first time in his career. “We’ve had a lot of lows. We haven’t won anything yet, but we’ve taken the next step. It feels great.”
The record has been expanded
Conor McDavid scored the winning goal in Edmonton after five minutes of extra time – with a pass from Drystel. Germany’s 2020 athlete scored a total of four assists and thus cemented his NHL record: Draisaitl scored at least three points in five playoffs in a row. In the current playoffs, the German striker and teammate McDavid lead the league with 26 points each.
“He’s the best passer in the NHL, and the best passer in the world,” said interim coach Jay Woodcroft, who spoke of Drysittle as an “absolute fighter.”
The Oilers will meet the Colorado Avalanche around German striker Nico Storm or St. Louis Blues in the semi-finals. Lead the avalanche 3-2 in the chain.
In the Eastern Conference, the Carolina Hurricanes advanced 3-2 against the New York Rangers and were one win away from reaching the semi-finals as the Tampa Bay Lightning awaits. The Hurricanes won 3-1 (1-1, 1-0, 1-0) at home and were unbeaten at home after seven home games in these playoffs.
(dpa)