German ice hockey star Leon Draisaitl earned a match point with the Edmonton Oilers in the NHL playoffs.
The Oilers won the fifth game against the Los Angeles Kings 6-3 (3-2, 2-0, 1-1). They took a 3-2 win lead in the best-of-seven series and only need one win to advance to the second round of the North American Ice Hockey League. The sixth game takes place on Saturday in Los Angeles.
Draisaitl scored acrobatically in the middle of the first period to give them a 2-0 lead when he fell after being pushed in the back. With six goals, the native of Cologne is currently the top scorer in the NHL playoffs.
After the Kings narrowed the lead to 2-3 at the end of the early period, the Oilers went on to score the next three goals. Curious: Zack Hyman scored to make it 5-2 when the puck went over his face after a shot by his team-mate. Draisaitl’s co-star Connor McDavid didn’t score but put on two goals.
Dallas takes the lead against Minnesota
The Dallas Stars beat the Minnesota Wild 4-0 (2-0, 1-0, 1-0) at home to take a 3-2 lead in the series. The New York Islanders prevented an end and reduced the series to 2:3 with a 3:2 (1:0, 2:1, 0:1) away win against the Carolina Hurricanes.