Leon Draisaitl makes his opinion on $25,000,000 Edmonton Oilers D-man's saucy assist on birthday boy's GWG crystal clear

By Abhilasha Aditi

Modified Oct 28, 2024 04:05 GMT

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Leon Draisaitl celebrated his birthday in style by leading the Edmonton Oilers to victory with a game-winning goal just 15 seconds into overtime against the Red Wings. The goal wasn’t a simple tap-in; it came from a well-timed setup by Mattias Ekholm. Ekholm, who joined the Oilers to strengthen their defense, faked a slapshot and then passed perfectly to Draisaitl, allowing for an easy finish.

After the game, Gene Principe spoke with Draisaitl, who openly discussed the team’s early struggles, admitting it took time to find their rhythm but that they eventually pushed through. When asked about the goal, Draisaitl pointed out Ekholm’s importance and said:

"Amazing pass. He's such a special player. You just close your eyes and go to the back of the net. Great pass. I mean, very rarely have I gotten a better or easier tap-in than that one. That was all-world. He's just an amazing player."

To Draisaitl, Ekholm’s play showed his value as a defenseman and proved that his four-year, $25 million contract is well-deserved. Even though it was Draisaitl’s birthday, he had no big plans because of a back-to-back game. Principe lightened the mood by surprising him with cupcakes and a German birthday greeting.

Oilers coach praises Leon Draisaitl's skills amid strong start to season

Coach Kris Knoblauch also admired the play, praising Ekholm’s precise passing and Draisaitl’s skillful backhand finish. He noted that their coordination was crucial in securing the win.

"That was an excellent play," Knoblauch said. "The fake slap shot and then the saucer pass to the back door was a great pass. It was also Leon on his backhand — that’s not an easy tip. A lot of guys miss that just because it’s on their backhand, and you're so tight. So, a lot of credit to Leon because that’s not easy."

Edmonton has had a rough start to the season and has relied on Draisaitl’s consistent play. Despite facing challenges, including some time on the bench, he now leads the team with six goals in nine games. Draisaitl seems to be back at his best, suggesting a strong season ahead.

The Edmonton Oilers are scheduled to play the Columbus Blue Jackets on Oct. 28 at 5:00 p.m. MDT. The Oilers currently have a record of three wins, four losses and one overtime loss (3-4-1), with a 1-1-0 record on the road. The Blue Jackets have a record of three wins, three losses, and one overtime loss (3-3-1), with a 2-2-0 record at home.