The 2024-25 NHL season has its first member of the 50-goal club. And its first member of the 51-goal club, too.
Edmonton Oilers star Leon Draisaitl potted goals No. 50 and 51 in Saturday’s game against the Calgary Flames.
The big German’s first goal equalized things 2-2 against Edmonton’s Alberta rival with less than three minutes to play in the third period. His second, a classic Draisaitl snip from the slot, won it for the Oilers in overtime.
It’s the fourth time the 29-year-old Draisaitl has hit the 50-goal mark in a season, as he also did it in 2018-19, 2021-22 and 2022-23. Only Alex Ovechkin has more 50-goal seasons among active players with nine.
Draisaitl also tied Jarri Kurri for the second-most 50-goal seasons in Oilers history behind Wayne Gretzky’s eight.
With his 51st, he is now nine goals clear of his nearest competitor (William Nylander) in the race for the league’s Rocket Richard Trophy. Draisaitl also sits third in the league with 103 points, seven back of co-leaders Nathan MacKinnon and Nikita Kucherov.
The Oilers star could break his career high in goals, which he set in 2021-22 when he scored 55 in 80 games.
Saturday’s pair of goals gives Draisaitl 398 in 788 career games, all with the Oilers.
