The Edmonton Oilers will balance the series against the Chicago Blackhawks in the NHL final tournament. But the man of the match is not Leon Draisaitl.
The Edmonton Oilers with the German Leon Draisaitl strike back in the final tournament of the NHL.
The German’s team beat the Chicago Blackhawks 6:3 and thus returned the favor for the 4:6 defeat at the start. (Service: Schedule of the NHL)
This gave the Canadians some breathing space again, with a 1-1 draw in the best-of-five series and the winner of the series moving on to the quarter-finals.
McDavid scores a hat trick
Man of the match from the Oilers’ perspective was superstar Conor McDavid, who scored his first post-season hat trick. Draisaitl remained without a scorer point against the Blackhawks.
The Oilers around McDavid got a lightning start. The 23-year-old took the lead after 19 seconds, but then regained it after four minutes. But Patrick Kane cut short for the Blackhawks in the first period.
Tyler Ennis restored the gap shortly after the start of the second period but Chicago equalised with five minutes remaining in the second section. McDavid’s powerplay goal soon after ensured that the Canadians went into the dressing room 4-3. In the third section, two more Oilers goals made the decision.
The third match between the two teams will take place on Wednesday evening (local time).