Leon Draisaitl and the Edmonton Oilers made it perfect for the NHL playoffs.
With the 6-3 home win against the best team in the Western Conference, the Colorado Avalanche around Nico Sturm from Augsburg, the Oilers have secured at least third place in the Pacific Division.
Four games before the end of the main round, the lead over the Los Angeles Kings is also four points, so the Oilers are likely to go into the playoff duels with the Kings with home advantage.
There the former national ice hockey coach Marco Sturm is on the coaching staff.
The Avalanche were already safely qualified for the playoffs before the game.
After a season with ups and downs, the exceptional German player Draisaitl was relieved: "Sometimes that's how it goes.
At the end of the day we're in the playoffs and that's what matters.
That was our first goal and we are happy about it, proud of ourselves.
But we're far from done."
Draisaitl prepared the goal for the final score.
Man of the night was Evander Kane with his first hat trick in the jersey of the Edmonton Oilers and an assist.
Meanwhile, Tim Stützle and the Ottawa Senators managed a 2-1 shootout win over the Columbus Blue Jackets.
The 20-year-old was the only player to score in the penalty shoot-out, making him the decisive man of the game.
During the regular playing time, the native of Viersen remained without a scorer point.
National goalkeeper Philipp Grubauer suffered a 6-3 loss to the Minnesota Wild with the Seattle Kraken.
As the bottom of the table in the Pacific Division, the 30-year-old and his club have not played a role in the play-offs for some time.