How Leon Draisaitl's Line Saved The Edmonton Oilers In Game 1
In his first game in over a month, Edmonton Oilers center Leon Draisaitl continues to show how he can step up to the moment and also elevate those around him.
Video Transcript
When Leon Draisaitl says he's not quite where he wants to be at just yet, and he still comes in with two big assists in the series opener of Edmonton-Anaheim, if I'm a Duck, I might be a little concerned as to what's in store when he's back to 100%.
Draisaitl, playing with Vasili Podkolzin and Kasperi Kapanen, helped to elevate their games.
Podkolzin and Kapanen were able to have room created by Draisaitl.
Dri able to create space for these guys to work.
Of course, Kapanen had the game-winning goal in this game.
But also, Draisaitl gives McDavid some room.
He also can give McDavid the ability to breathe.
He takes the pressure off of Connor McDavid because we saw in Game 1, McDavid tried to go once again, one-on-three, one-on-four, and you saw the Ducks slow it down.
You saw the Ducks break up those chances, active sticks, creating turnovers in the neutral zone.
Not only McDavid all game long go in and drive wide to net.
We saw Anaheim stymie those chances again and again.
But knocking the puck off of Draisaitl's stick, that is so tough to do, so hard to do to a player that strong when he's rolling.
And for Draisaitl, he is someone who, although not 100% yet, still so dangerous and so dynamic.
And the two-way play of those three players for Podkolzin, Kapanen, and for Draisaitl, that is what Edmonton is going to need more of in the postseason.
Guys who know their assignments in the offensive zone and the defensive zone.
And for Chris Knobloch, you have to keep this trio together.
It's not broken.
Don't try to fix it.
Keep them rolling in Game 2, and especially when things switch to Anaheim for Games 3 and Game 4.
Let them continue to cook, and let Draisaitl continue to quarterback that unit.
Because in Game 1, it was magnificent.
