Stanley Cup Playoffs: Draisaitl shines in NHL comeback with two assists for Oilers

Leon Draisaitl made an immediate impact in his return from injury as the Edmonton Oilers defeated the Anaheim Ducks 4-3 in Game 1 of the Western Conference First Round. The German forward recorded two assists, including the setup for Kasperi Kapanen’s game-winning goal with 1:54 remaining in the third period, securing a vital opening victory for Edmonton.

Draisaitl had been sidelined for the final 14 games of the regular season due to a lower-body injury sustained in a March 15 game against the Nashville Predators. He was activated off injured reserve prior to Game 1 after practicing with the team since April 13, when the Oilers returned from a three-game road trip. His availability had been uncertain until shortly before the game, with Draisaitl stating he would decide based on how he felt following Sunday’s practice.

Upon his return, Draisaitl contributed 22:06 of ice time and registered two assists. He assisted on both of Kapanen’s goals, including the initial 2:0 goal that gave Edmonton an early lead. The Oilers trailed 3-2 entering the third period after the Ducks scored three consecutive goals in the middle frame, but Jason Davidson scored twice in the final period to tie the game before Draisaitl’s assist to Kapanen sealed the win.

Reflecting on his performance, Draisaitl acknowledged he needs more time to regain full form but was satisfied with his initial contribution. “I felt OK. Certainly going to take a couple games to really be myself, and really trust myself again,” Draisaitl said. “But for a start, I thought it was OK.” He praised the team’s medical and training staff for their patience and support during his recovery.

The victory gives the Oilers a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven series, with Game 2 scheduled for Wednesday night at Rogers Place in Edmonton. Edmonton is seeking its third consecutive appearance in the Stanley Cup Final, having lost to the Florida Panthers in the previous two seasons. The Panthers did not qualify for the playoffs this year.

For other German players in the NHL, results were mixed. Timo Meier of the New Jersey Devils was not mentioned in the available sources regarding playoff performance on this date. However, the sources indicate that Thomas Hertl of the San Jose Sharks was not referenced in the playoff context for April 21, 2026. The available information does not cover the performance of other German nationals such as Moritz Seider or Lukas Reichel in playoff games on this specific date.

Connor Ingram made his first postseason start in goal for the Oilers, stopping 25 shots including a crucial save in the final seconds to earn the win. Lukas Dostal made 30 saves for the Anaheim Ducks in the losing effort.

The Oilers will look to build on this opening victory as they aim to advance past the first round for the first time since reaching the Stanley Cup Final in 2022, and 2023. Game 2 is set for Wednesday night at Rogers Place, with the series continuing in Edmonton before potentially shifting to Anaheim for Games 3 and 4 if necessary.

What does Draisaitl’s return mean for the Oilers’ playoff hopes? His immediate impact provides a significant boost to Edmonton’s offense as they seek to overcome their recent playoff disappointments and advance deeper into the postseason.

Stay tuned for updates on Game 2 of the Oilers-Ducks series as the Western Conference First Round continues.