Zach Hyman of the Edmonton Oilers celebrated his second-period goal against the Boston Bruins with teammate Leon Draisaitl at the bench during Thursday night’s NHL game in Edmonton, December 19, 2024. (Photo by Timothy Matwey, The Canadian Press)


December 20, 2024 Tags:

Edmonton witnessed a thrilling night on Thursday as Leon Draisaitl's exceptional play helped the Oilers claim a dramatic 3-2 overtime victory against the Boston Bruins. Draisaitl notched assists on all three Oilers goals, reaching an impressive career milestone of 900 points. The achievement comes amidst his current hot streak, marking multipoint games in seven consecutive outings, with 18 points across those matches.
The decisive moment came 1:04 into overtime when Ryan Nugent-Hopkins picked up a rebound from Draisaitl’s shot and set up Mattias Ekholm, who fired in the winning goal. Ekholm, celebrating his fourth goal of the season, praised Draisaitl's all-around game, calling him a cornerstone for the Oilers both offensively and defensively.

Draisaitl, now 29, reflected on his milestone, acknowledging the hard work and support from teammates, coaches, and the organization. “It feels good,” he shared. “This is a tough league; every day is a chance to learn and grow. I’m proud, but this is a shared achievement.”

In just 751 games, Draisaitl has reached the 900-point mark, making him the fifth-fastest player born outside North America to achieve the feat. Teammate Nugent-Hopkins highlighted Draisaitl’s dedication, noting, “You see the effort he puts in every day. It’s remarkable to see him achieve this at his age.”

Draisaitl continues to dominate the NHL, leading with 23 goals and sitting second with 50 points this season. Meanwhile, Zach Hyman, returning strong from injury, added a goal and an assist, bringing his tally to eight goals in seven games. Connor McDavid also contributed a goal, solidifying the Oilers’ momentum with nine wins in their last 11 games.

Goalie Stuart Skinner made 24 saves to secure the win for the Oilers. The Bruins, who entered the game on a two-game winning streak, found solace in the performances of Elias Lindholm and Mark Kastelic, who both scored. Bruins’ goalie Jeremy Swayman recorded 23 saves but couldn’t hold off the Oilers’ relentless attack in overtime.

Boston’s Mark Kastelic acknowledged the need for improvement, saying, “We got on our heels and let them dictate the game. It’s a lesson for us moving forward.”

For the Oilers, this victory against one of the NHL’s top teams fuels their confidence. As Draisaitl put it, “It shows we can compete with anyone on any night. That’s something we can build on.”

How useful was this post?

Click on a star to rate it!

Average rating 0 / 5. Vote count: 0

No votes so far! Be the first to rate this post.

You may also like

Sharangovich Seals Flames' 3-2 Shootout Victory Over Avalanche

The Calgary Flames pulled off an electrifying comeback Monday night, rallying from a two-goal deficit to stun the Colorado Avalanche....

Devils Edge Wild in Shootout Thriller as NHL Action Heats Up

The New Jersey Devils secured a thrilling 3-2 shootout victory over the Minnesota Wild on Monday night, marking their third....

Women's NCAA Final Four: South Carolina vs. Texas, UCLA vs. UConn

In an exciting twist, the Women's NCAA Final Four is set with three No. 1 seeds vying for a spot....

Raptors' Young Core Gaining Momentum as Season Winds Down

The Toronto Raptors may be out of the playoff race, but their recent performances suggest a promising future. With a....

Jenner Shines as Blue Jackets Edge Canucks in 7-6 Shootout Win

The Columbus Blue Jackets pulled off a stunning comeback on Friday night, rallying from multiple deficits to claim a 7-6....

Kraken Dominate Oilers with Quick Strikes in 6-1 Victory

The Seattle Kraken snapped their three-game losing streak in style, crushing the Edmonton Oilers 6-1 on Thursday night. Jaden Schwartz....

Senators Edge Red Wings 4-3 in Tight Battle

The Ottawa Senators secured a hard-fought 4-3 win against the Detroit Red Wings on Thursday night. Thomas Chabot and Tim....

Sharks Triumph in Shootout Thriller Against Maple Leafs

The San Jose Sharks secured a thrilling 6-5 shootout victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs on Thursday night, despite nearly....

Canucks Crush Islanders with a 5-2 Victory

The Vancouver Canucks delivered a commanding 5-2 victory over the New York Islanders on Wednesday night, proving their resilience with....

Pegula advances to Miami Open semis, Djokovic match delayed

Jessica Pegula defeated Emma Raducanu in a tough three-set match on Wednesday night at the Miami Open, securing her spot....

Robertson’s Hat Trick Powers Stars Past Oilers in 4-3 Win

Jason Robertson stole the show with a natural hat trick in the second period, leading the Dallas Stars to a....

Alex Eala Shocks Iga Swiatek in Miami Open Quarter-Finals

Alexandra Eala pulled off a huge surprise at the Miami Open by defeating world number two Iga Swiatek in straight....