“Bigger than any other personal records”: Leon Draisaitl places team ahead of self as Edmonton Oilers capture thrilling win, doesn’t take credit

Leon Draisaitl again showed why he is considered one of the NHL's most valuable players as he led the Edmonton Oilers to a 2-1 overtime win over the New York Islanders at UBS Arena on Friday. Despite the Oilers having seven setbacks in their last eleven matches, Draisaitl's decisive effort broke the pattern, and he scored both goals, with the overtime tiebreaker among them. Nonetheless, while the personal triumph was amazing, Draisaitl expressed unequivocally that his main priority still remains winning.


Draisaitl's overtime score wasn't merely a game-winner—it was also a significant personal achievement. The goal was his 49th of the season, leaving him in touching distance of his sixth career 50-goal season and taking him to the 100-point plateau once again. He is now only two points behind Nathan MacKinnon in the league's top scorer, and he has also extended his career-high 17-game point streak.
All these achievements notwithstanding, Draisaitl played down his individual achievement. When questioned regarding the achievement of 100 points in a post-game session, he brushed it aside, stressing the significance of the Oilers' win. “It’s an individual, I guess, milestone. But, you know, the two points are much bigger than any other personal records.”
It is this kind of thinking that has turned Draisaitl into a vital leader for the Oilers. His immediate response to the overtime goal was to recognize goaltender Calvin Pickard, whose key pass to Connor McDavid created the winning play.

Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch has been vocal about Draisaitl’s impact on the team, admiring his ability to elevate his game even when already performing at an elite level. “I’ve seen Leon just take control of his game,” Knoblauch said. “He’s always been a good player; he’s always been dominant. One of the best forwards every single night. That’s a star player. For me, I saw him step it up even more, which is surprising because when you’re that good it’s tough to take any more steps.”
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Though Draisaitl is in no shortage of personal awards, his mind is on pushing the Edmonton Oilers to victory. His leadership, selfless play, and capacity to succeed in high-pressure situations keep him among the league's most dominant players. With the Oilers on the verge of clinching their playoff spot, Draisaitl's mentality and performance have much to do with dictating how far they can push it this year.