The German ice hockey star Leon Draisaitl shot the Edmonton Oilers with a double pack for victory in the first final duel with the Florida Panthers.
Shortly before the end of the first extension (80th), the Cologne team achieved the decisive 4: 3 after he had met 1-0 very early (2nd). In the best-of-Seven series, the Oilers lead 1-0, four victories are necessary to win the Stanley Cup.
First title since 1990 is supposed to be
“It was a great start for us, but we now have to sort ourselves up and prepare for the second game”said Draisaitl in the Canadian TV station Sportsnet. He wrote his golden goal to his teammate Connor McDavid and Corey Perry who “With great passes” In general, had brought the position to come to the end.
In the previous year, Edmonton had had to leave the Panthers to the Stanley Cup after seven competitive games. Now the first title in the new edition of the past final series is finally scheduled for 1990. The second duel takes place again in Edmonton, playing on Saturday (2:00 a.m. CEST). It is still open whether Nico Sturm will be there at Florida.
Nele Weber, Sportschau, 03.06.2025 4:33 p.m.
Draisaitl strikes in the power play
Edmonton demonstrated enormous mental strength, because after Draisaitl’s early lead goal, the Panthers first turned up. Sam Bennett (11th, 23rd) and Brad Marchand (13th) met for the defending champion. But Edmonton countered by Victor Arvidsson (24th) and Mattias Ekholm (47th) and saved himself into overtime.
There, Draisaitl struck in the power play, Floridas Tomas Nosek had dealt with a completely unnecessary penalty period for delaying the game. “This has been characterized by the whole year, especially now in the play-offs. We never give up and always stay tuned“, said Draisaitl.