Draisaitl’s Oilers take the lead against LA Kings

The Edmonton Oilers with German ice hockey star Leon Draisaitl took a 2-1 lead against the Los Angeles Kings in the playoff series of the North American professional league NHL. The Oilers won game three of the best-of-seven series away 8-2 (2-0, 3-2, 3-0).

As in game two, Draisaitl scored the goal to make it 1-0 and later scored another goal. Evander Kane also scored a hat-trick while Ryan Nugent-Hopkins scored a brace. Goaltender Mike Smith, who blundered crucially in game one, made a strong showing with 44 saves against the Kings, who have former national coach Marco Sturm as assistant coach.

The Toronto Maple Leafs (5-2 at defending champions Tampa Bay Lightning) and the Minnesota Wild (5-1 at the St. Louis Blues) also took a 2-1 lead in their away series. The Boston Bruins, meanwhile, reduced the deficit to 2-1 at home with a 4-2 win over the Carolina Hurricanes.

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