Draisaitl emotional as Oilers' season ends: 'It feels like a failure'
Edmonton Oilers superstar Leon Draisaitl was choked up Sunday after his team's season ended in Round 2 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs at the hands of the Vegas Golden Knights.
"It hurts. It's tough to find words right now," Draisaitl told reporters postgame. "Obviously, when you start a season, you're in it to win it, and we're at that stage. If you don't complete that then it feels like a failure or a wasted year almost. It hurts."
"It feels like a failure or a wasted year almost. It hurts."
- Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) May 15, 2023
Leon Draisaitl after getting eliminated from the Stanley Cup Playoffs. pic.twitter.com/ViBt6CUOxg
Draisaitl put together an excellent postseason, recording 13 goals and five helpers in 12 games. He slowed down as the playoffs wore on, though, mustering just one assist in his last four contests.
Oilers captain Connor McDavid agreed that the season was a missed opportunity, but believes it'll make the team stronger moving forward.
"I really feel that you got to go through some of this to win. I think we've seen that all the way through," McDavid said. "Let's hope it's the last time."
"I really feel like you got to go through some of this to win...let's hope it's the last time."
- Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) May 15, 2023
McDavid on the Oilers getting eliminated in Round 2. pic.twitter.com/Qunu0VLfun
After the leading the NHL in goals, assists, and points during the regular season, McDavid put together a stellar playoffs, pacing the league with 20 points in the postseason. He put together four multi-point efforts during the series against Vegas, and scored one of his team's two goals in the 5-2 loss in Game 6.
The Oilers made the Western Conference Final a year ago - the furthest the team has gone in the McDavid-Draisaitl era.
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