Draisaitl could thrive for Oilers in Anaheim

ANAHEIM, Calif. For Edmonton Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl, the happiest place in Orange County isn’t Disneyland.

No, it’s on the other end of Katella Avenue, where Draisaitl has scored in all four games against the Anaheim Ducks this season, including a goal and three assists in a Game 1 win on Wednesday night.

Draisaitl has scored in five of his seven career visits to Honda Center, amassing six goals and six assists. In his last 11 games against the Ducks regardless of location, Draisaitl has 17 points (9-8-17).

“I just think we’re allowing him too much freedom in the games we’ve played him,” Ducks coach Randy Carlyle said. “He’s having too much fun. I don’t know how I can put it any simpler.”

But ask Draisaitl about his success against Anaheim, he nearly goes as silent as Donald Duck at the nearby theme park.

“I feel like people make too big of a deal of it,” Draisaitl said Thursday afternoon. “I think every guy has a team they seem to get points against or it really seems to go their way. Maybe this team is it for me, but this is a different story. This is the playoffs and it’s pretty much a new season so I’m not reading too much into it.”

Though Draisaitl won’t acknowledge it, part of the reason for his production against the Ducks likely comes from the decision to play him on the wing with centre Connor McDavid this season.