EDMONTON – Leon Draisaitl’s two goals propelled the Edmonton Oilers to a crucial 4-1 victory over the Anaheim Ducks on Tuesday night, preventing elimination and forcing a Game 6 in their Western Conference First Round playoff series. The Oilers, last year’s Stanley Cup Finalists, demonstrated a determined start, building a three-goal lead within the first period at Rogers Place.
Draisaitl’s performance was pivotal, with both of his goals coming at key moments in the contest. The first, at 1:14 of the opening frame, extended Edmonton’s lead to 3-0, effectively silencing the Ducks’ momentum early on. He later added a power-play goal in the second period, tying Wayne Gretzky for the most postseason power-play goals in franchise history with 23.
“It will take a big effort, a really, really big effort,” Oilers captain Connor McDavid said after the game. “We’re still in a tough, tough spot, a really tough spot. We’ve got to find a way to win in a tough building.” McDavid, who recorded two assists, acknowledged the pressure facing his team but emphasized the opportunity ahead.
The Ducks currently lead the best-of-seven series 3-2, meaning the Oilers face continued adversity. Game 6 is scheduled for Thursday at Honda Center (10 p.m. EST; HBO MAX, Victory+, truTV, TNT, KCOP-13, SN360, SN, TVAS, CBC). A win for the Oilers would force a decisive Game 7 back in Edmonton.
Evan Bouchard contributed significantly to the Oilers’ offensive output with three assists, while Ryan Nugent-Hopkins added a pair. Connor Ingram secured the win in net for Edmonton, making 29 saves. Ingram had previously started the first three games of the series before giving way to Tristan Jarry in Game 4, but returned to the net for this critical Game 5 matchup.
“The communication was great, they let me know what was going on,” Ingram said. “I had no problem with it. I was frustrated after Game 3… so to give myself a little break mentally and physically was huge, I think.”
The Oilers’ quick start proved decisive. Vasily Podkolzin opened the scoring just 2:22 into the game, and Zach Hyman extended the lead to 2-0 less than six minutes later. The Oilers’ ability to capitalize on early opportunities was a stark contrast to their struggles in the first four games of the series, where they repeatedly relinquished leads.
Anaheim managed to respond in the second period with a goal from Alex Killorn, extending his points streak to four games. Although, Draisaitl’s second goal quickly extinguished any hopes of a Ducks comeback. Ville Husso replaced Lukas Dostal in net for Anaheim after Dostal allowed three goals on nine shots in the first period.
Edmonton’s victory marked their 18th all-time win when scoring first in a game while facing elimination. This statistic underscores their resilience and ability to perform under pressure. The Oilers are attempting to avoid becoming the eighth team in NHL history to lose a series after leading 3-0.
The series now shifts back to Anaheim, where the Ducks will look to close out the series on home ice. The Oilers, however, are determined to extend the series and force a Game 7, hoping to capitalize on the momentum gained from their Game 5 victory. The pressure is mounting on both teams as they head into a pivotal Game 6.
Elsewhere in the NHL playoffs, the Boston Bruins, coached by former German national team head coach Marco Sturm, also avoided elimination, defeating the Buffalo Sabres 2-1 in overtime. National player Lukas Reichel was not in the Bruins’ lineup for that game.
What’s Next: The Edmonton Oilers will travel to Anaheim for Game 6 on Thursday, April 30th, with puck drop scheduled for 10 p.m. EST. The game will be broadcast on HBO MAX, Victory+, truTV, TNT, KCOP-13, SN360, SN, TVAS, and CBC.
What are your predictions for Game 6? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
