NHL: Calgary Flames at Edmonton Oilers - Source: Imagn — Leon Draisaitl drops stone-cold response to being benched after 'unnecessary' cross-check penalty. (Picture credit: Imagn).

Leon Draisaitl drops stone-cold response to being benched after 'unnecessary' cross-check penalty

Modified Oct 16, 2024 07:51 GMT

Leon Draisaitl delivered a stone-cold response after being benched following a two-minute minor penalty for cross-checking Garnet Hathaway. The incident occurred with less than 10 seconds remaining in the second period against the Philadelphia Flyers.

Coach Kris Knoblauch opted to keep Draisaitl on the bench for several shifts in the third period. However, Draisaitl made an impactful return by scoring the overtime winner after Connor McDavid was unable to convert on a breakaway chance.

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The Edmonton Oilers secured a much-needed win to go 1-3-0 on the season. When asked about the penalty, Draisaitl described it as "unnecessary."

Regarding his brief benching, the 28-year-old German responded with a cold remark:

"You're going to have to ask him that."

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The goal marked Draisaitl's second for the Oilers this season after signing a lucrative eight-year, $112 million contract earlier last month. He has accumulated three points through two goals and one assist in four games.

Also Read: Fans irate as Edmonton Oilers win in OT after controversial no-penalty call on Connor McDavid

Leon Draisaitl's OT goal secures Oilers' first win of the season

On Tuesday, the Edmonton Oilers hosted the Philadelphia Flyers at Rogers Place. The Oilers secured their first win of the season after beating the visitors 4-3 in overtime.

The Flyers got off to a strong start, with Matvei Michkov opening the scoring at 4:46 of the first period. He found the puck at the right post and stuffed it in for a powerplay goal, giving the visitors a 1-0 lead.

Michkov then extended the lead to 2-0 with another powerplay on a one-timer at 9:21. Notably, these two were the first two NHL goals for the 19-year-old talented winger in a Flyers uniform.

Adam Henrique cut the deficit to 2-1 at 6:28 of the second period before Connor Brown tied it 2-2 for the Oilers at 14:01. With less than 30 seconds remaining before the final period, Bobby Brink gave the Flyers the lead.

At 16:14 of the third period, Evan Bouchard tied the score 3-3 for the Oilers after slotting a one-timer into the back of the net off Connor McDavid's pass. Draisaitl scored the winner 56 seconds into overtime.

With the win, the Oilers moved to 30th place in the league standings. They'll travel to the Bridgestone Arena to face the Nashville Predators on Thursday. The puck drop is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET.