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Edmonton Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl became the fourth-quickest active player in National Hockey League history to achieve 1,000 career points during the initial period of a 6-4 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins on Tuesday.
Draisaitl earned the secondary assist on a power-play goal by Zach Hyman at the 11:38 mark of the first period. He delivered a pass to Connor McDavid, who then redirected it to Hyman for a direct shot past Penguins netminder Stuart Skinner.
“It took a great deal of effort and many individuals contributed along the way,” Draisaitl remarked.
“While these accomplishments are often attributed solely to the player, there are numerous people who play a significant part.”
Skinner had previously been Draisaitl’s teammate until Edmonton sent him to Pittsburgh in exchange for Tristan Jarry last Friday.
“Whenever someone reaches 1,000 points, you naturally extend congratulations, though I would have preferred it didn’t occur against me,” Skinner commented. “It’s a somewhat bittersweet feeling.
“I was his teammate for an extended period, and he is clearly an exceptional player who consistently creates opportunities every single night. My congratulations go out to him.”
Stuart Skinner, the starting goaltender for the Edmonton Oilers, has been transferred to the Pittsburgh Penguins. This deal brings former Edmonton Oil Kings goaltender Tristan Jarry to Alberta’s capital. Travis McEwan covers how Skinner will be missed by the community.
Following Hyman’s successful shot, the entire Oilers’ bench emptied to celebrate Draisaitl’s milestone accomplishment in the corner.
Draisaitl registered his 1,001st point just 14 seconds afterward on a goal by McDavid. He concluded the contest with four assists and now boasts 416 goals and 587 assists across 824 games. Draisaitl and McDavid combined for an assist for the 136th occasion in their careers, surpassing Paul Coffey and Wayne Gretzky for the fourth-highest total by a pair of teammates in NHL history.
“He’s an exceptional athlete,” McDavid commented. “I cannot speak highly enough of him. He consistently performs year after year across all areas of the rink.
“It’s no surprise for him to achieve this feat, and to do so rapidly, with many excellent seasons still ahead of him.”
Draisaitl, the third overall selection in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft, became the 103rd player in league history, the inaugural German-born player, and the fifth in franchise history to reach 1,000 points.
Draisaitl, a four-time 50-goal scorer who assisted Edmonton in reaching the Stanley Cup final during the preceding two seasons, holds the record as the fifth-quickest to achieve the milestone among players originating from outside North America.
“Growing up in Germany, it felt like such a distant prospect,” Draisaitl stated. “It truly was merely a dream. I am just incredibly grateful, very thankful, and naturally, a little proud.”
