Photo credit: globalnews.ca
In a thrilling overtime showdown, Leon Draisaitl netted his second goal of the game just 3:52 into the extra period, leading the Edmonton Oilers to a narrow 2-1 victory over the New York Islanders on Friday night. This win marks the Oilers’ fourth victory in their last seven games.
Goalkeeper Calvin Pickard played a pivotal role in the match, recording 24 saves. On the opposing side, Ilya Sorokin tallied 33 saves but could not secure the win for the Islanders, who faced their third consecutive loss. Bo Horvat managed to score for New York, giving his team a glimmer of hope.
The decisive overtime goal came after Draisaitl received a well-placed pass from Connor McDavid, maneuvering past Sorokin for his league-leading 49th goal of the season. The Oilers dominated the statistics early in the game, outshooting the Islanders 17-6 in a scoreless first period. Draisaitl initially put Edmonton ahead with a powerful slap shot from the top of the left circle in the second period at the 8:46 mark.
Horvat responded for the Islanders, tying the game at 1-1 just 1:21 into the third period. He capitalized on a 2-on-1 break, combining with Anthony Duclair to successfully beat Pickard for his 21st goal of the year.
Takeaways from the Game
For the Oilers, this win was crucial as they had struggled previously, losing 8 of their last 11 games, which had seen them slip to third place in the Pacific Division. However, this victory allowed them to surge past the Los Angeles Kings and reclaim the second spot.
Meanwhile, the Islanders, who had won four out of five prior to their current slump, earned a single point from the match. This point leaves them four points shy of a wild card position in the Eastern Conference, highlighting the competitiveness of the playoff race.
Key Moment of the Game
A significant moment came during overtime when Pierre Engvall attempted to catch Pickard off-guard with a shot from close range, only for the goalie to expertly deflect it to the side. Subsequently, the puck was redirected back towards Pickard, who then passed it to McDavid, facilitating Draisaitl’s breakaway and game-winning goal.
Key Statistic
Despite the loss, the Islanders demonstrated tenacity, outhitting the Oilers 21-10 and blocking an impressive 22 shots, underscoring their defensive efforts to remain competitive throughout the game.
Looking Ahead
The Oilers will face the New York Rangers on Sunday, while the Islanders will host the Florida Panthers, both teams looking to improve their standings in the league.
Source
globalnews.ca