Leon Draisaitl and Edmonton are on the verge of elimination in the NHL playoff finals. The German failed to score a point in game three. The Oilers are still trying to spread optimism.
Leon Draisaitl’s dream of winning the Stanley Cup may already be over on Sunday night. The German ice hockey star and the Edmonton Oilers are facing an early exit in the North American NHL playoff final. The team also lost game three 3:4 against the Florida Panthers and is now 0:3 behind in the series. Four wins are needed to win the Stanley Cup.
“It’s very frustrating,” said Draisaitl. “I think we shot ourselves in the foot today.” The 28-year-old Cologne native added: “We made some individual and collective mistakes that they immediately exploited.” Draisaitl, who is playing in his first NHL final series, did not score a single point.
Confidence should remain
Despite the third defeat in the third game, the Oilers tried to radiate optimism ahead of the fourth and possibly final game on Sunday night (CEST) at their home stadium, Rogers Place.
“We still have a lot of belief,” said Edmonton coach Kris Knoblauch. “I think we showed that we can beat this team.” There was no doubt in the locker room. Goalkeeper Stuart Skinner expressed himself similarly: “I think we can be a great team and we will find a way to beat these guys.”
Three goals conceded in a short space of time
The Oilers’ first home game in the final series began with an offensive exchange of blows and chances on both sides. After Edmonton’s exceptional strikers Draisaitl and Connor McDavid missed the best opportunities in the power play, the goal was scored on the other side: Sam Reinhart deflected a shot from Gustav Forsling into the goal (19th).
In the second period, Edmonton increased the pressure and deservedly equalized through Warren Foegele (22nd minute). However, the hosts then missed too many chances. Florida goalie Sergei Bobrowski made a strong save. The Panthers, on the other hand, took full advantage of the Oilers’ mistakes and increased their lead to 4-1 within 6:19 minutes through Vladimir Tarassenko (30th minute), Sam Bennett (34th minute) and Aleksander Barkov (36th minute).
Edmonton did not give up in the third period and even came close again with a deflected shot from Philip Broberg (47th) and shortly before the end from Ryan McLeod (55th). Last year’s finalists from Florida withstood the pressure, however, and are on the verge of winning the first championship in their NHL history.
Source: Stern
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