Oilers’ Leon Draisaitl makes history with sixth overtime winner, first to 50 goals this season

Edmonton Oilers superstar Leon Draisaitl returned in style Saturday versus the Pacific Division rival Calgary Flames.

Following a four-game absence related to an undisclosed injury, upon his return to the lineup the 29-year-old German-born forward put up a two-goal, one-assist effort en route in a 3-2 overtime thriller. Late in the second period, Draisaitl picked up his first tally of the contest, marking his 50th goal of the season. With the feat, Draisaitl became the first player to reach the 50-goal plateau this season. It also marked the fourth time that Draisaitl has reached the threshold following 50 goals in 2018-19, 55 in 2021-22, and 52 in 2022-23.

League wide, Draisaitl leads Toronto Maple Leafs right winger William Nylander by nine goals for top spot in the race for the Maurice ‘Rocket’ Richard Trophy, presented annually to the league’s top goal scorer. Draisaitl has never won the award, while last season Auston Matthews of the Maple Leafs took home the trophy after potting 69 goals in 81 games. This season, Draisaitl remains on pace for a career-high 58 goals in 78 games. Of note, of Draisaitl’s 58 goals this season, a league-leading 11 stand as game winners.

Not yet finished, Draisaitl added his second tally of the night and 51st of the season midway through overtime. In all, the tally was Draisaitl’s sixth overtime winner of the season, an NHL record. Five players had previously shared the record of five overtime winners in a single season, counting Steven Stamkos then of Tampa Bay Lightning, former Chicago Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews, Carolina Hurricanes center Sebastian Aho, former Boston Bruins captain Brad Marchand, and former Montreal Canadiens forward Alex Galchenyuk.

With the victory, the Oilers improved to 42-26-5 and 89 points, good for third place in the Pacific Division and just shy of the second-seeded Los Angeles Kings due to the games played tie-breaker.