Ice hockey star Leon Draisaitl and his Edmonton Oilers are on course for the Stanley Cup final in the NHL. In a hard-fought first play-off semi-final, the Canadians beat former champions Dallas Stars 3-2, with Draisaitl’s strike partner Connor McDavid scoring the decisive goal 32 seconds into the second overtime period.
Draisaitl himself had given the Oilers a 1-0 lead 58 seconds into the second period, and goalie Stuart Skinner also put in a strong performance with 31 saves in the first Western Conference final. “It’s going to be a close affair, but we feel comfortable in these games,” said captain McDavid. Game two of the best-of-7 series will also take place in Dallas on Sunday night.
Edmonton last reached the Conference Finals in 2022, but was clearly defeated by eventual champion Colorado Avalanche (0-4).
Basketball: Brown leads Boston to second win against Indiana
The Boston Celtics have won their second home game in the Conference Finals of the North American professional basketball league NBA and extended their lead in the series to 2-0. An outstanding Jaylen Brown led the best team of the regular season to a 126-110 victory against the Indiana Pacers on Thursday (local time).
The 27-year-old set his personal playoff record with 40 points. Brown had already saved Boston in overtime in game one with a difficult three-pointer from the corner shortly before the end.
After the lead changed hands ten times in the opening quarter of the second game and Indiana was still leading 27-22 with 1:14 minutes left in the quarter, Boston turned things around. The Celtics scored 20 points in a row, while the Pacers went over six minutes without scoring a basket.
Even when Indiana came within two points at the start of the second half, Boston found the right answer and scored 16 of the next 21 points. Pacers star player Tyrese Haliburton had to leave the field in the third quarter with an injury to his left leg.
The series continues with two games in Indiana. A total of four wins are needed to reach the NBA finals.
#sports #compact #Draisaitl #Oilers #step #final