Ice hockey: Draisaitl excels as the Oilers equalize in the NHL playoffs
The Edmonton Oilers equalized in the second round of the playoffs in the North American professional ice hockey league NHL. At the Vancouver Canucks, Leon Draisaitl’s team won 4-3 in overtime. This means the best-of-seven series is now 1-1 after games.
Draisaitl, who was still injured in the opening defeat and was questionable before the game, excelled with four goals. The German superstar initially equalized 1-1 in the first third before assisting Mattias Ekholm to make it 2-2 in the second third. With another preparation for the 3:3 by Connor McDavid, Draisaitl ensured that the Oilers moved into overtime. In this, the German finally prepared Evan Bouchard’s winning goal for the celebrated 4-3 final score. For the Oilers it was the first win in their sixth meeting with the Canucks this season. After the two opening games in Vancouver, the series continues with two matches in Edmonton.
In the Eastern Conference there was also a clear winner in the third game between the Florida Panthers and the Boston Bruins. As in the second encounter (6:1), the Panthers clearly won game three 6:2. After the 1:5 defeat at the start, last year’s finalists are heading towards the conference finals.
Basketball: New York loses 1:2 in the second round of the playoffs
The New York Knicks lost 1-2 in the best-of-seven series in the second round of the playoffs in the North American professional basketball league NBA. Isaiah Hartenstein’s team lost the away game at the Indiana Pacers 106:111 despite a nine-point lead with just under ten minutes to go.
Tyrese Haliburton played a key role in the Pacers’ comeback, scoring 35 points and setting his second personal playoff points record in a row. However, Andrew Nembhard took care of the game-deciding action: The Canadian hit a three-point attempt from just under 9.5 meters with 16 seconds left to make it 109:106. For the Knicks, Donte DiVicenzo impressed with 35 points. Hartenstein had six points, eight rebounds and five assists as a starter. Game four on Sunday evening German time will take place again in Indianapolis.
Meanwhile, champions Denver Nuggets celebrated an important away win and regained the 1:2 lead in the best-of-seven series. After two home defeats at the start, the team around MVP Nikola Jokic celebrated a clear 117:90 win at the Minnesota Timberwolves.
The Nuggets were already leading by 20 points at the end of the second quarter. They also hit almost 50 percent of their attempts from the three-point line. Jokic narrowly missed a triple double with 24 points, 14 rebounds and nine assists. Anthony Edwards, who has been so outstanding for the Timberwolves so far, was his team’s best scorer with 19 points. The series continues with the next home game for Minnesota on Monday night.
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