Oilers Forward Sets New Record

Edmonton Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl has broken a franchise record Set 32 years ago by Oilers legend Glenn Anderson. Heading into Saturday night’s game against the Carolina Hurricanes, there was a three-way tie for most game-winning goals by an Edmonton player. Draisaitl, teammate Connor McDavid and Hall of Famer Glenn Anderson with 72 game-winning goals.

When Draisaitl scored the game-winner over the Hurricanes, he moved ahead of the pack. He is the first Oilers player ever to score 73 game-winning goals. Hard to believe it took 32 years for an Edmonton player to break Anderson’s record. At some point this season, Anderson will be sitting third all-time, as McDavid will surely pass him at some point. The race is on to see who will hold the new record once Draisaitl and McDavid’s careers in Edmonton are over.

The game-winning goal against the Hurricanes was Draisaitl’s first GWG of the season. Draisaitl’s first-ever game-winning goal occurred on October 24th, 2014, and it also happened to be his first NHL goal. That game was also against the Carolina Hurricanes. Saturday night’s goal was scored just 19 seconds into overtime to give the Oliers a 4-3 victory.

Oilers Stars Reaching New Heights

I have no doubts about McDavid joining Draisaitl in the exclusive club of 73 game-winners soon. He is likely to do it this month, let alone this season. It’s fun to watch this duo rewrite the Oilers’ history books. The only other active Edmonton Oilers player who could pass Anderson’s mark is Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. He currently has 36 game-winners over the course of his 975-game career. For those wondering, the Great One, Wayne Gretzky, sits fourth all-time with 61 GWG during his 696-game career with the Oilers.

Draisaitl should achieve another milestone with the Oilers this season. He is 21 points away from hitting career point 1,000. He would become the fifth player in franchise history to do so. Teammate Connor McDavid reached the same milestone last season.