The Oilers celebrate, but Leon Draisaitl (2nd from left) came away empty-handed this time. © APA / BRUCE BENNETT

Of all things, with a goal firework: Draisaitl's streak broken

The impressive streak of German ice hockey star Leon Draisaitl has come to an end. The 29-year-old Edmonton Oilers player failed to score a point for the first time after 18 consecutive NHL games with at least one goal – and he did so in a 7-1 thrashing of the Utah Hockey Club.

March 19, 2025

From: dpa

It was the Oilers' third consecutive win, bringing qualification for the playoffs within reach.

Draisaitl's last goalless streak came in a 3-2 win against the Buffalo Sabres on January 25. His streak afterward was the fourth-longest for an NHL player not born in North America.

This time the Oilers spread the scoring across several shoulders, they had a double-packer in Zach Hyman and a total of six different goal scorers.

Ovechkin is no closer to the record

Meanwhile, Washington defeated the Detroit Red Wings 4-1 at home. Superstar Alexander Ovechkin remained goalless for the Capitals, leaving him with 887 career goals. He's seven goals short of Wayne Gretzky's record (894).