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McDavid and Draisaitl of the Oilers end goal droughts in crucial game.
  • 2024 Stanley Cup Final - Oilers vs. Panthers, news
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    McDavid and Draisaitl of the Oilers end goal droughts in crucial game.

    Where has this been all series?

    It only took four games, but the Edmonton Oilers‘ dynamic duo of Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl finally broke some dry spells on Saturday. McDavid his first goal of the series and Draisaitl got his first Stanley Cup Final point with an assist.

    Questions about when the two would show up with the lights at their brightest were aplenty coming into Game 4 against the Florida Panthers as their two droughts contributed in a big way to the Oilers’ overall lack of offence through the first three games.

    As a whole, Edmonton had scored only four goals through the first three games of the Stanley Cup Final. They doubled that number at 1:13 of the second period in Game 4. With their backs firmly against the wall down 3-0, the duo delivered.

    Draisaitl has always been one to shine under pressure, with the German sharpshooter netting 16 points in 10 elimination games over his career. He picked up his 17th point off a sweet feed to Dylan Holloway for the Oilers’ third goal of the game.

    He added another assist in the second period on the power play, rocketing a shot off the crossbar from his signature tight angle and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins eventually tapping it in on the goal-line.

    The 28-year-old had been virtually invisible so far in the Stanley Cup Finals, finishing without any points on nine shots on goal.

    McDavid, meanwhile, has 12 points in nine elimination games over his career but refused to go down without a fight on Saturday, netting the fourth goal of the game, wiring a wrister top shelf on the rush.

    He also picked up an assist on Darnell Nurse’s goal four minutes later to bring his point total in this post-season to 38, breaking Evgeni Malkin’s record for the most in a single playoff run over the last 30 years and putting him in a tie with Wayne Gretzky for the fifth-most all-time.

    Perhaps more notably though, he wound up grabbing two more assists on the night, bringing his post-season total to 32 and breaking Gretzky’s record for the most helpers over the course of a run.

    His 20 points in games following a loss tied Doug Gilmour’s 1993 run for the most in a post-season as well, per Sportsnet Stats.

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    In a crucial game against their division rivals, the Edmonton Oilers’ dynamic duo of Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl found themselves in the midst of a goal drought that left fans and analysts scratching their heads. The two superstars, who are known for their offensive prowess and ability to score at will, had been held off the scoresheet for several games leading up to the pivotal matchup.

    McDavid, the reigning Hart Trophy winner and arguably the best player in the NHL, had been on a tear all season, leading the league in points and dazzling fans with his speed and skill. However, in the past few games, he had been unable to find the back of the net, despite generating numerous scoring chances and creating opportunities for his teammates.

    Draisaitl, the Oilers’ other top scorer and McDavid’s partner in crime, was also struggling to find his scoring touch. The German forward had been one of the most consistent goal scorers in the league over the past few seasons, but he too had hit a rough patch and was unable to capitalize on his chances.

    The goal droughts of McDavid and Draisaitl were especially concerning given the importance of the game against their division rivals. The Oilers were fighting for a playoff spot and needed their top players to step up and deliver when it mattered most. With the pressure mounting and the stakes high, fans were starting to wonder if the two superstars were feeling the weight of expectations or if there was something else at play.

    Despite their struggles, McDavid and Draisaitl remained confident and focused on breaking out of their slump. They continued to work hard in practice, studying game tape, and staying positive in the face of adversity. Their determination and work ethic were evident to their teammates and coaches, who knew that it was only a matter of time before the dynamic duo found their scoring touch once again.

    In the crucial game against their division rivals, McDavid and Draisaitl finally broke out of their goal droughts in spectacular fashion. McDavid scored a highlight-reel goal off a dazzling rush up the ice, showcasing his speed and skill, while Draisaitl buried a one-timer from the slot to give the Oilers a much-needed boost. The two superstars led their team to a crucial victory, solidifying their place as two of the best players in the league.

    As the season progressed, McDavid and Draisaitl continued to light up the scoresheet, proving that their goal droughts were nothing more than a temporary blip in their otherwise stellar careers. The dynamic duo’s ability to bounce back from adversity and deliver when it mattered most only solidified their status as two of the most dominant players in the NHL.