Draisaitl again without a scorer point
Draisaitl went without a score for the second straight season after becoming the first player in NHL history to provide multiple assists in six consecutive playoff games. After the two previous defeats in Colorado, playoff top scorer Connor McDavid put the Oilers ahead after just 38 seconds. But after two goals by Valeri Nitschuschkin (17th/25th minute) and the 2:2 for Edmonton by Ryan McLeod (48th), JT Compher (53rd) and Mikko Rantanen (60th) ensured the next success for the guests. Sturm came on seven minutes this time after not being in the Avalanche squad.
“They’re a good team, they’re doing a lot of things right”, said McDavid, “but we are also a good team, we have to find ways to score goals and also to defend.”
Statistics speak against the Oilers
The Oilers lost the first game 6-8. The fourth game of the series for the championship title in the west of the league will take place again in Edmonton on Tuesday night. Only four teams in the NHL have managed to come back from a 3-0 deficit in a series. But Draisaitl relies on the comeback qualities of his team: “We have shown that we can come back after every score, have high morale and never give up.”
In the other playoff semi-final, which will determine the champion in the East, the New York Rangers the first two games against Tampa Bay Lightning won. Here, too, four victories are necessary to advance.
Source: dpa/sid