Leon Draisaitl carries Oilers into Anaheim for Game 3 tonight
Leon Draisaitl is carrying the Edmonton Oilers right now, and he knows the road isn't a problem.
The German centre posted 4 points in the first two games of this series, which is tied 1-1 heading into tonight's Game 3 in Anaheim.
Draisaitl said it himself on the Oilers' official X account Friday afternoon: "Sometimes going on the road simplifies things a little bit. I think that goes for every team, especially in the playoffs. Just looking to play a good road game tonight."
That's a calm, locked-in player talking.
It matters because someone has to carry this team right now. Connor McDavid is held scoreless through two games, going -2. Evan Bouchard has no points and is sitting at -3.
Draisaitl is the one keeping Edmonton alive.
McDavid scoreless, Kapanen emerging as Oilers' surprise weapon
The player who looks most dangerous besides Draisaitl? Kasperi Kapanen. Two goals, one assist, a +4 rating, and a game-winning goal already in this series. He costs $1.3 million. Kapanen is playing like a man with something to prove.
Kris Knoblauch has a real problem to figure out, though. His top power play unit has been invisible. Draisaitl's 4 points have all come at even strength.
On the other side, Anaheim has real threats. Cutter Gauthier scored twice and added an assist in the first two games. The 22-year-old had 7 goals in his last 5 regular-season games. He's not slowing down.
Troy Terry added 4 points in those same two games. The Ducks are not just hanging around. They beat Edmonton 5-6 right here in Anaheim back on February 25.
Edmonton's road record this season was 19-16-6. Solid, not dominant. This building gave them trouble already once this year.
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Lukas Dostal posted a .887 save percentage across the first two games for Joel Quenneville's club. Connor Ingram was at .855 for Edmonton. Neither goalie has been outstanding. Whoever blinks tonight changes the series.
The Oilers finished the regular season 41-30-11, good for 93 points. Anaheim finished 43-33-6 with 92. These teams are about as even on paper as it gets.
There's still no resolution on the power play problem. If Edmonton can't get McDavid going or wake up that man-advantage, Draisaitl cannot do this alone forever.
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YESTERDAY
APRIL 23, 2026
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| G | A | PTS | ||
| Bowen Byram | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Artturi Lehkonen | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Noah Ostlund | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Taylor Hall | - | 2 | 2 | |
| Alex Laferriere | - | 2 | 2 | |
| Drake Batherson | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Jackson Blake | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Tanner Jeannot | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Adrian Kempe | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Gabriel Landeskog | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Cale Makar | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Trevor Moore | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Brock Nelson | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Logan Stankoven | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Alex Tuch | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Quinton Byfield | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Nick Cousins | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Peyton Krebs | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Josh Manson | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Charlie McAvoy | - | 1 | 1 | |
| COMPLETE STATS | ||||
| 2025-2026 NHL STANDINGS | ||||||
| GP | W | L | OL | PTS | ||
| Sabres | 82 | 50 | 23 | 9 | 109 | |
| Lightning | 82 | 50 | 26 | 6 | 106 | |
| Canadiens | 82 | 48 | 24 | 10 | 106 | |
| Bruins | 82 | 45 | 27 | 10 | 100 | |
| Senators | 82 | 44 | 27 | 11 | 99 | |
| Red Wings | 82 | 41 | 31 | 10 | 92 | |
| Panthers | 82 | 40 | 38 | 4 | 84 | |
| Maple Leafs | 82 | 32 | 36 | 14 | 78 | |
| GP | W | L | OL | PTS | ||
| Hurricanes | 82 | 53 | 22 | 7 | 113 | |
| Penguins | 82 | 41 | 25 | 16 | 98 | |
| Flyers | 82 | 43 | 27 | 12 | 98 | |
| Capitals | 82 | 43 | 30 | 9 | 95 | |
| Blue Jackets | 82 | 40 | 30 | 12 | 92 | |
| Islanders | 82 | 43 | 34 | 5 | 91 | |
| Devils | 82 | 42 | 37 | 3 | 87 | |
| Rangers | 82 | 34 | 39 | 9 | 77 | |
| GP | W | L | OL | PTS | ||
| Avalanche | 82 | 55 | 16 | 11 | 121 | |
| Stars | 82 | 50 | 20 | 12 | 112 | |
| Wild | 82 | 46 | 24 | 12 | 104 | |
| Mammoth | 82 | 43 | 33 | 6 | 92 | |
| Blues | 82 | 37 | 33 | 12 | 86 | |
| Predators | 82 | 38 | 34 | 10 | 86 | |
| Jets | 82 | 35 | 35 | 12 | 82 | |
| Blackhawks | 82 | 29 | 39 | 14 | 72 | |
| GP | W | L | OL | PTS | ||
| Golden Knights | 82 | 39 | 26 | 17 | 95 | |
| Oilers | 82 | 41 | 30 | 11 | 93 | |
| Ducks | 82 | 43 | 33 | 6 | 92 | |
| Kings | 82 | 35 | 27 | 20 | 90 | |
| Sharks | 82 | 39 | 35 | 8 | 86 | |
| Kraken | 82 | 34 | 37 | 11 | 79 | |
| Flames | 82 | 34 | 39 | 9 | 77 | |
| Canucks | 82 | 25 | 49 | 8 | 58 | |
COMPLETE STANDINGS | ||||||