![\"NHL:](\"https:\/\/images.deadspin.com\/tr:w-900\/25110363.jpg\")
Jan 3, 2025; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Edmonton Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl (29) looks to make a play in front of forward Leo Carlsson (91) during the third period at Rogers Place. Mandatory Credit: Perry Nelson-Imagn Images <\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\nIt’s strange how the NHL’s leading goal-scorer and second-leading points producer is not even considered the best player on his team.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Welcome to Leon Draisaitl’s world.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Superstar captain Connor McDavid still is king in Edmonton, but Draisaitl showed again Friday why he’s a worthy 1B, scoring the go-ahead goal with 1:35 remaining to give the Oilers a 3-2 victory against visiting Anaheim.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n The Oilers will attempt to extend their winning streak to three games when they play Saturday night in Seattle, their first of four meetings with the Kraken this season.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Draisaitl’s game-winner was his league-best 28th goal of the season and also his ninth winning tally. The 2019-20 Hart Trophy recipient as the NHL MVP is second to Colorado’s Nathan MacKinnon (64) in points with 57. <\/p>\n<\/section>\n McDavid, a three-time league MVP and five-time scoring champ, is tied for fourth with 54 points, as he’s missed three games this season because of injuries.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n “I take big pride in stepping up when it’s needed most,” Draisaitl said. “It’s something that’s really important to me and that I pride myself in.”<\/p>\n<\/section>\n The Oilers scored the game’s first two goals before letting the Ducks back in it.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n <\/p>\n “It wasn’t perfect by any means — when you have those leads you want to make sure that you bring them home,” Oilers defenseman Darnell Nurse said. “But when we were challenged at the end, we found a way to get that final blow.”<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Despite netting the winner, Draisaitl was critical of his own performance.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n “We had a lot of good shifts and good looks; their goalie made some big stops,” he said. “But I think, all-in-all, especially on my behalf and my line, there were too many turnovers. It felt like momentum — we would have it then a turnover would happen, and then it would be back-and-forth.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n “That was mainly our line, mainly me. It happens. Those games come along every once in a while, and you just learn from them.”<\/p>\n<\/section>\n The Kraken, meanwhile, had a two-game winning streak snapped with a 4-3 shootout loss Thursday to visiting Vancouver, despite rallying from a two-goal deficit in the final 11 minutes of regulation to force overtime. Defenseman Vince Dunn scored the tying goal with 53 seconds remaining in the third period.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n “We came back in the third strong and were able to tie it up,” said Kraken forward Matty Beniers, who has scored in three consecutive games. “It was a good pushback, but if we can put ourselves in better situations going into the third, I think we’re going to have more success.”<\/p>\n<\/section>\n It was similar to last weekend’s historic comeback in Vancouver, when the Kraken became just the third team to ever win after rallying from a three-goal deficit in the final five minutes of regulation in a regular-season game. <\/p>\n<\/section>\n Despite their 2-0-1 stretch, the Kraken remain seven points back in the chase for the Western Conference’s second and final wild-card playoff berth.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n “At this point, it doesn’t really matter how. Just gotta keep collecting (points),” defenseman Brandon Montour said. “We’re in a hole. We put ourselves in a position where we need to get as many wins and as many points as we can.” <\/p>\n<\/section>\n