The German ice hockey professional Leon Draisaitl has qualified for the NHL playoff semifinals with the Edmonton Oilers.
The Oilers defeated the Calgary Flames 5-4 (0-1, 4-3, 0-0) after overtime in the fifth game of the second round on Thursday (local time) and won the series 4-1.
The Oilers are in the playoff semifinals of the North American professional hockey league for the first time since the 2005-06 season.
Duel with Nico Sturm?
Connor McDavid scored Edmonton's winner after five minutes of overtime – on Draisaitl's assist.
Germany's athlete of the year 2020 recorded a total of four assists and thus extended his NHL record: Draisaitl received at least three scorer points in five playoff games in a row.
In the current playoffs, the German attacker and teammate McDavid are leading the league with 26 points each.
The Oilers will meet the Colorado Avalanche around German forward Nico Sturm or the St. Louis Blues in the semifinals.
The Avalanche lead 3-2 in the series.
In the Eastern Conference, the Carolina Hurricanes led 3-2 against the New York Rangers and were one win away from reaching the playoff semifinals where the Tampa Bay Lightning would be waiting.
The Hurricanes won 3-1 (1-1, 1-0, 1-0) in their own arena and remain unbeaten at home after seven home games in these playoffs.