Oilers lose at the start of the playoffs

Two goals from top star Leon Draisaitl were not enough for the Edmonton Oilers to win their opening playoffs in the North American ice hockey league NHL. The Canadians were surprisingly beaten 3-4 after extra time against the Los Angeles Kings on Monday evening (local time). Alex Iafallo scored the decisive goal for the guests in the tenth minute of overtime. Before the start of the knockout phase, the world-class German striker Draisaitl announced that his goal was to win the Stanley Cup with the Oilers.

The 27-year-old from Cologne, who is currently considered one of the best players in the world, showed a strong performance and scored the goals to make it 1-0 and 3-1. But even two clear leads (2:0, 3:1) were not enough for the Oilers to complete their opening win in regular time. The Californians equalized with two goals in the third period to make it 3-3 and thus forced extra time. Iafallo's goal ensured the immediate end of the match and the away win for the Kings.

Draisaitl stumbled with his Oilers at the start. © APA / LAWRENCE SCOTT

With his first goal, Draisaitl rose into an elite circle. The German was only the third professional ever to score 40 points in fewer than 60 playoff matches. He managed it in 38 encounters, only the legends Wayne Gretzky (26) and Mario Lemieux (34) were even faster.

Draisaitl has played in the NHL for the Oilers since 2014. Despite a number of personal records and superstar Connor McDavid at his side, the Oilers have never been able to win the most coveted ice hockey trophy in the world. The defense has often been problematic in recent years. The Oilers had been in top form in recent weeks and had won nine games in a row at the end of the main round.

The favorite is convincing The Boston Bruins opened the play-offs in the North American ice hockey league NHL with a home win. The outstanding team from the regular season won game one of the “best of seven” series against the Florida Panthers 3-1 on Monday. The Minnesota Wild won 3-2 at the Dallas Stars after two overtime periods.

The first step for the Bruins has been taken. © APA / RICH GAGNON

In Dallas, Ryan Hartman decided the game in the 93rd minute in favor of Minnesota, which had some recently injured players back and had therefore sent the Austrian Marco Rossi to the farm team in Iowa. Wild goaltender Filip Gustavsson stopped 51 shots on goal, including 26 in overtime.

The results at the start of the playoffs Carolina Hurricanes – New York Islanders 2:1

Boston Bruins - Florida Panthers 3:1

Dallas Stars – Minnesota Wild 2:3 aet

Edmonton Oilers – Los Angeles Kings 3:4 aet

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Oilers lose at the start of the playoffs

The Edmonton Oilers' title hopes were hit right at the start of the playoffs. Leon Draisaitl scores twice in the NHL, but that's not enough.

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