German ice hockey star Leon Draisaitl and his Edmonton Oilers made a successful start to the playoffs of the North American professional league NHL.
In the first round of 16, the Canadians beat the Los Angeles Kings 7-4 on Monday (April 7, 2024/local time), Draisaitl scored a goal and an assist. But the man of the evening was Zach Hyman with a hat trick.
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Draisaitl, the only German player in the championship round, made it 4-0 through Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (29th minute) and scored 5-2 (42nd). The Oilers allowed two late goals from the Kings to make it 3:6 and 4:6 (57th/59th), meaning the opening win was no longer in danger. Warren Foegele finally put the lid on it (60′), LA had taken out the goalkeeper.
Edmonton will play against the Kings in the first round for the third time in a row; the Oilers prevailed in the two best-of-seven series in 2022 (4:3) and 2023 (4:2). The 28-year-old Draisaitl is hoping for his first Stanley Cup victory this year. Game two will take place again in Canada on Thursday night.
Defending champions also take a 1-0 lead
Defending champion Vegas Golden Knights beat the Dallas Stars 4-3 and lead 1-0. The Toronto Maple Leafs evened the series against the Boston Bruins in the East with a 3-2 win in the second duel. The Caroline Hurricanes made it 2-0 against the New York Islanders with a 5-3 win.
