The Edmonton Oilers’ star forward, Leon Draisaitl, has been a dominant force throughout the 2024 NHL season, contributing significantly to his team’s success leading up to the Stanley Cup Final. However, as the Oilers face off against the Florida Panthers in the decisive series, Draisaitl has found himself mired in an unexpected goal drought.
Despite his prolific scoring during the regular season and earlier playoff rounds, the German sensation has not yet found the back of the net against the Panthers. Through the first five games of the series, Draisaitl has been held off the scoresheet in terms of goals, though he continues to create scoring opportunities and assist his teammates.
The Panthers, known for their disciplined and aggressive defensive strategy, seem to have found a way to contain Draisaitl. Florida’s head coach, Paul Maurice, has deployed a highly effective checking line and instructed his defensemen to shadow Draisaitl closely. This focused defensive effort has minimized Draisaitl’s shooting lanes and forced him away from prime scoring areas.
In Game 1, Draisaitl managed three shots on goal but was consistently met by the staunch goaltending of Sergei Bobrovsky, who has been in stellar form. Game 2 saw Draisaitl take on a more playmaking role, assisting on a crucial power-play goal by Connor McDavid. Despite the assist, Draisaitl’s inability to score has been noticeable, especially to fans accustomed to seeing him light the lamp with regularity.
Game 3 presented another challenging scenario. Draisaitl appeared visibly frustrated after several high-quality chances were thwarted by Bobrovsky and the Panthers’ defensive corps. His frustration was evident late in the third period when a one-timer attempt sailed high over the net, a shot he’s buried countless times in the past.
Games 4 and 5 were games where Connor McDavid just took over, with the help of the bottom six causing the spark needed to get the Oilers going. Although Leon Draisaitl has been getting on the board with assist, he knows he needs to put the puck in the back of the net as well. McDavid could probably carry them all the way, but Leon has the ability to lighten the load and help tremendously.
The Oilers are certainly hoping that Draisaitl can rekindle his scoring touch soon, as they trail the Panthers 3-2 in the series. Their path to raising the Stanley Cup would undoubtedly be easier with Draisaitl firing on all cylinders. However, his contributions cannot be discounted even without goals—his playmaking, defensive efforts, and leadership are integral to Edmonton’s success.
As the series progresses, all eyes will be on Draisaitl. The Oilers’ faithful remain hopeful that their star forward can break his goal drought and help lead the team to victory. Whether or not he scores, Draisaitl’s performance will continue to be pivotal in Edmonton’s quest for their first Stanley Cup since 1990.
