Latest news with #LeonDraisaitl
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Panthers visit the Oilers in Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final with the series tied
Florida Panthers right wing Mackie Samoskevich (25) defends Florida Panthers center Evan Rodrigues (17) as goaltender Calvin Pickard (30) deflects a shot on goal during the third period of Game 4 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final Friday, June 13, 2025, in Sunrise, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky) EDMONTON, Alberta (AP) — Leon Draisaitl scoring in overtime to tie the Stanley Cup Final for the Edmonton Oilers ensured the series against the Florida Panthers cannot be decided in Game 5 on Saturday night. Hockey's hallowed trophy will not yet be in the building. But it is guaranteed to be on Tuesday night back in Sunrise, making Game 5 another pivotal swing point in the NHL's championship series rematch. Advertisement 'The team that can move on fastest is going to be have the best chance,' Panthers winger Matthew Tkachuk said. 'The team that moves on from this and team that recovers the fastest is going to have the bigger advantage.' The coaches involved, Florida's Paul Maurice and Edmonton's Kris Knoblauch, don't believe much in game-to-game momentum, and that theory has played out so far. Draisaitl and Brad Marchand traded OT heroics in the first two, the Panthers won the next in a rout, and took a three-goal lead in Game 4 before the Oilers erased it and got another from Draisaitl to even things up. The Oilers are favored to go up 3-2 and are slightly favored to win it all, according to BetMGM Sportsbook. The Panthers have won 10 of the 11 playoff series they have been in over the past three years, including a year ago beating Edmonton in seven games in the final. This has been different but still feels like it could go the distance. Advertisement 'It's two good teams, and they're equally matched and you're going to get some good hockey,' said 40-year-old Oilers winger Corey Perry, whose first intermission speech helped spark their Game 4 comeback. 'There are some superstars on both sides of the puck. It's fun to be a part of.' ___ AP NHL playoffs: and
Fox News
19 hours ago
- Sport
- Fox News
NHL stars Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl shock beer league game as surprise players
Imagine showing up to your weekly ice hockey game to play with some of your friends and local talent, but two of the best players in the NHL are ready to face-off against you. Edmonton Oilers stars Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl were quite the ringers at the Magna Centre in Newmarket, Ontario, last Wednesday for the beer league game, but they were actually outscored by their opponents, who have quite the hockey story for the rest of their lives. The rink is just minutes away from where McDavid grew up, and he had his partner in crime donned in an Oilers jersey with him on the ice. Fans in the stands couldn't believe their eyes as they watched McDavid and Draisaitl play against loved ones and friends. But the Edmonton stars didn't have the usual point tallies on the night. In fact, neither player scored a goal. Instead, there were clips that went viral on social media of the other team's goalie making some sweet saves on McDavid's shots. Now, it is worth noting neither NHL All-Star was skating full speed and trying to do their patented offensive wizardry on the ice. However, they reportedly found themselves down 4-0 after the first period and eventually lost the game, 6-2. On-ice officials at the rink were reportedly given notice that the Oilers players were going to play, per TSN. McDavid spoke with ESPN, who said it wasn't his first time jumping on the ice in this league that he used to play in during his junior hockey days. In fact, in 2023, he dropped by to play in the championship game against a team that sported Quinton Byfield on their bench, the Los Angeles Kings star. "That's a league I played in with my buddies for over 10 years now," McDavid told ESPN. "We joined that league back when I played junior hockey. I was a little bit surprised to see it get blown up. I've been playing in those games for over a decade now. So, it's pretty funny that it just kind of came up." Perhaps McDavid and Draisaitl needed some good vibes with local players after yet another loss to the Florida Panthers in the Stanley Cup Final. They will try once more during the 2025-26 season to defend their Western Conference title, and hope they can lift Lord Stanley's Cup instead of going home empty-handed. While Draisaitl is locked in with the Oilers for the future after inking an eight-year deal last year, McDavid is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent following this season. Follow Fox News Digital's sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
CTV News
4 days ago
- Sport
- CTV News
Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl make surprise appearance at Newmarket beer league game but lose
Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid and teammate Leon Draisaitl took the ice in Newmarket earlier this week for a beer league hockey game that they ultimately lost. The game took place at Newmarket's Magna Centre on Wednesday night. McDavid and Draisaitl were both seen wearing what appeared to be Oilers practice jerseys during the game. Footage posted to social media by TSN's BarDown showed at least one prime scoring chance for McDavid but the NHL star couldn't beat the goalie, who came up with a big glove save. McDavid and Draisaitl ultimately 6-2 with no goals between the two of them WATCH THE FULL VIDEO: McDavid and Draisaitl take the ice in Newmarket. In an interview after the game with BarDown one of the referees called it 'incredible' to see McDavid and Draisaitl 'coming down the ice.' 'It's nothing like you ever seen,' he said. Another referee said it was 'just really cool to be on the ice with them.' 'Kind of starstruck at the end of the day,' he said. That referee went on to say that he was 'not too shocked' about the lack of goals from the NHL players. 'That goalie stood on his head out there,' he said. McDavid grew up in Newmarket and regularly returns to the area during the NHL offseason. In May, the town temporarily renamed Riverwalk Commons to 'Connor McDavid Square' for the duration of the Stanley Cup Finals. Despite the Oiler's inability to win the cup, losing for two years in a row to the Florida Panthers, Maple Leafs fans are no doubt holding their breath with hopes that they might one day see McDavid take the ice at Soctiabank Arena in a Leafs jersey. McDavid is set to enter free agency in 2026.
Time of India
5 days ago
- Sport
- Time of India
Edmonton Oilers star Leon Draisaitl named best NHL player at 2025 ESPYS
(AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee, File) Leon Draisaitl 's stellar 2024–25 campaign has earned him a new honor, this time off the ice. The Edmonton Oilers forward was named Best NHL Player at the 2025 ESPYS on Wednesday, becoming the first German-born player to win the award. Draisaitl joins an elite group of European winners, capping off a year that saw him lead the league in goals and help push Edmonton to the Stanley Cup Final once again. Leon Draisaitl honored with first ESPY after career-best season Leon Draisaitl's ESPY win comes on the heels of a standout season in which he scored 52 goals to earn his first Rocket Richard Trophy. Despite missing time and playing just 71 games, the 29-year-old forward still finished with 106 points, his sixth 100-point campaign in the last seven seasons. Draisaitl also became the first German and just the fourth European player to ever win the ESPY for Best NHL Player. The annual award, hosted by ESPN, celebrates the top athletes in all major sports. Draisaitl's selection continues Edmonton's dominance in this category, as teammate Connor McDavid won the award in each of the last three years. Although the ESPY may not carry the same weight as league-specific honors, it highlights Draisaitl's popularity and impact on the game globally. Strong playoff run highlights all-around dominance Draisaitl carried his strong regular-season form into the playoffs. In 22 postseason games, he recorded 33 points (11 goals, 22 assists), helping the Oilers reach their second consecutive Stanley Cup Final. His performance included four overtime game-winners, underlining his ability to deliver in critical moments. While Edmonton fell short of the ultimate prize, Draisaitl's efforts were vital in the team's deep playoff run. The combination of offensive production, leadership, and clutch scoring made him a deserving recipient of national recognition at the ESPYS. A light-hearted off-ice moment Interestingly, Draisaitl and McDavid were not in attendance for the ESPY ceremony. Instead, the duo was spotted playing in a recreational beer league game in Newmarket, Ontario, which their team lost 6–2. Despite the light-hearted nature of the event, the moment showcased their grounded personalities and connection with local fans. Leon Draisaitl's ESPY win is another testament to his rising legacy in the NHL. With multiple league awards, a consistent scoring record, and now national recognition, the Edmonton Oilers star continues to solidify his place among hockey's elite. Also Read: Anaheim Ducks re-sign Lukas Dostal to five-year, $32,500,000 contract Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
National Post
5 days ago
- Sport
- National Post
Edmonton Oilers new goalie coach not shying away from win-now demands
Surely, there are easier jobs to take in the NHL than becoming the goalie coach of the Edmonton Oilers. Article content After all, with the best player in the world — if not the two best — right now, when things go wrong with the team, you know people aren't pointing to the ones in charge of putting pucks in the net at the other end of the ice. Article content Article content In terms of point production, Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl have done that job better than anyone else during their past decade playing together, sitting first and second overall. Article content So, the focus of the fan base when times are bad is aimed squarely at the ones whose job it is to keep pucks out of their own net. The last line of defence, if you will. Article content And if the blame becomes common enough over a big enough sample size where the netminders' struggles are seen, justified or not, as the one thing separating this club from the Stanley Cup, well, it's difficult to ignore the common denominator through it all. Article content The goaltending coach. Article content And that's where Peter Aubry comes in, having been announced this week to the Oilers coaching staff under the even-keeled Kris Knoblauch, along with fellow new assistants Paul McFarland and Conor Allen. Article content Aubry understands full well the situation he's coming into, taking over for his predecessor, Dustin Schwartz, whose contract was not extended following 11 seasons of developing talent in the Oilers crease. To various levels of success, of course, after joining the club mid-Decade of Darkness. Article content The difference for Aubry is he's coming aboard an Oilers team in nothing short of win-now mode, after reaching the Stanley Cup Final each of the past two seasons, only to come home emptyhanded. Article content Article content 'A hundred per cent, they are. And I recognize that,' said Aubry, 48. 'This is a big role, and an important role. We're talking about the finest level of the curve right here to make that incremental improvement to win the Stanley Cup. Article content Article content 'I fully recognize that, that's exciting and enticing. I want to do my part.' Article content Aubry is making the jump to a full-time NHL position after spending the past two seasons coaching in NCAA Div. 1 as associate coach at Nebraska-Omaha, where Simon Latkoczy was just named the conference's Goaltender of the Year. Article content A native of Windsor, Ont., Aubry spent the previous eight years working as the developmental goaltending coach in the Chicago Blackhawks system, where he first met Blackhawks-turned-Oilers general manager Stan Bowman. Article content 'Stan's a great man and I'm so fortunate to be able to work for him again,' said Aubry, whose first order of business, even before packing up and moving his family to Edmonton, is familiarizing himself with his top two priorities on the roster, Stuart Skinner and Calvin Pickard. Article content And it's T-minus two months or so before the launch of the pre-season schedule to get acquainted, go over goals and expectations and implement everything into Knoblauch's overall approach to running the team. Article content It doesn't leave a lot of room for error. Especially in an off-season where a vocal sector of the fan base was screaming for changes in the goalie stable. Article content And did we mention expectations aren't getting any smaller on the season to come? Article content It's all part in parcel for Aubry. Article content 'There are daily and yearly regular human pressures that come and go. But insofar as or day-to-day process, I think that's one of those things where you're able to just drown out the noise and look at what we can do today to best prepare,' he said. 'At the same time, that's what makes it so great. Article content 'Personally, one of the big things about going to Edmonton, we're going to one of the best hockey markets in the whole world. That's a positive, and I think high-level athletes and people are driven by that. I'm no different. That's exciting and there's pressure and responsibility that goes with that, and you want to take that head on.' Article content Article content Aubry might be jumping right into the deep end with his new job, but he's already had a chance to get his feet wet in the NHL. Article content 'Back in the 2021-22 season when people were still missing time with COVID, I was up in the NHL for about three weeks,' said Aubry, who had been stationed with the Blackhawks American Hockey League affiliate in Rockford when he was called up to fill in for goaltending coach Jimmy Waite. 'And I was fortunate to be up there with Marc-Andre Fleury and Kevin Lankinen. And Lanks I had in the American league, but that was just a good time to really experience the NHL battle and essentially working with a future Hall-of-Famer. Article content 'Even prior to that, we had Robin Lehner right when he came to Chicago and it was really good getting to work with him all summer leading up to his time there. There is no question I got to work with some good goaltenders and I reflect back on those experiences to propel my coaching game further.' Article content
