Leon Draisaitl leads Edmonton to a sweeping victory with two goals

Leon Draisaitl led the Edmonton Oilers to a clear victory over the Nashville Predators despite the loss of star player Connor McDavid. Draisaitl shone with two goals and an assist in the 5:1 (2:1, 1:0, 2:0) away win. For the second time in the current season of the North American ice hockey league, the German star player scored three points in one game.

“Without Connor McDavid, we knew someone had to take over – Leon didn’t disappoint,” said Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch. “He did everything: won crucial face-offs, scored goals in important moments – you could tell he was ready.” With an ankle injury, McDavid will miss the Oilers for two to three weeks.

After Draisaitl prepared Viktor Arvidsson’s opening goal after 37 seconds, the 29-year-old attacker took the lead 3-1 in the second period and increased it to 4-1 at the beginning of the third period. “It was a really good game for us, I particularly liked the energy,” said Draisaitl about the third win from the last four games.

The duel between two German national players between Nico Sturm and Lukas Reichel went to Sturm, who achieved a 3:2 (1:2, 2:0, 0:0) home win with the San Jose Sharks over the Chicago Blackhawks. Both DEB players remained without a goal. After seven defeats at the start of the season, the Sharks have won their last three games.

The Dallas Mavericks around superstar Luka Doncic lost for the first time in their own stadium in the third home game of the season. The Mavericks lost 102:108 (44:47) to the Houston Rockets in the North American Basketball League, although the hosts were never in the lead.

In the first half, the Mavericks were 23 points behind at times; at the beginning of the final period, Dallas was still 16 points behind. Luka Doncic led the home team to a comeback, scoring 15 of his 29 points in the last quarter. With two three-pointers he brought his team within three points twice, but the Mavs were no longer able to turn the game around. Maxi Kleber was missing Dallas for the third game in a row due to a thigh injury.

Victor Wembanyama led the San Antonio Spurs to a 106:88 (47:53) away win over the Utah Jazz. The 20-year-old French talent showed his versatility with 25 points, nine rebounds, seven assists, five steals and five blocks. For the second time in his young NBA career, Wembanyama achieved scores of at least five in five statistical categories.

Things are not going well at all for the Milwaukee Bucks around superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo this season. After a 99:122 (48:70) away defeat at the Memphis Grizzlies, the 2021 NBA champions have a record of one win and four defeats. Antetokounmpo also couldn’t prevent the defeat despite 37 points and eleven rebounds. For the Grizzlies, playmaker Ja Morant stood out with a triple-double of 26 points, 14 assists and ten rebounds.

Star quarterback Aaron Rodgers has breathed new life into the New York Jets and stopped the decline in the NFL for the time being. After five defeats in a row, the 35-year-old led his team to a 21:13 win over the Houston Texans, who had started the season well. The New Yorkers didn’t allow themselves to be disturbed by a strange celebration mistake.

It was the Jets’ third win of the season in the ninth game – the first for interim coach Jeff Ulbrich, who took over at the beginning of October after Robert Saleh was fired. After a very slow start, former MVP Rodgers turned things around in the second half, throwing for a total of 211 yards and three touchdowns, the last of which was to star newcomer Davante Adams. It was the wide receiver’s first touchdown in the third game after joining the Jets.

Previously, young Jets receiver Malachi Corley gave away important points towards the end of the first half. After his supposed touchdown, he dropped the ball in front of the end zone during his premature celebration and was finally caught by the video images. Nevertheless, in the end it was enough for the Jets to secure an important victory in the battle for the play-off places.