Leon Draisaitl is unstoppable against the LA Kings – only Wayne Gretzky & Mark Messier have ever had a streak like this in the playoffs!

In the cutthroat world of the NHL playoffs, certain performances transcend the moment, etching themselves into the annals of hockey history. Leon Draisaitl is currently doing just that. As the Edmonton Oilers battle the Los Angeles Kings in their first-round series, Draisaitl is making his presence felt like never before. In fact, his performance against the Kings has reached such rarefied air that only two players in the long and storied history of the franchise — Wayne Gretzky and Mark Messier — have posted similar streaks in the playoffs.

When you think of Wayne Gretzky, names like “The Great One” and “unprecedented dominance” come to mind. As for Mark Messier, his legacy as a leader and clutch performer speaks volumes. Both are legends of the game, having made countless playoff memories in Edmonton. But now, Draisaitl has joined their ranks, and the hockey world is starting to take notice in a big way.

Through his first several games against the Kings in the 2025 postseason, Draisaitl has taken his game to another level. He’s not just putting up points — he’s consistently taking over games in ways that few players can. Let’s dive deep into his mind-blowing performance, how he’s doing it, and what it means for the Oilers’ playoff hopes as they aim for another deep run.

Draisaitl’s Historic Streak

There is no doubting the sheer talent and skill of Leon Draisaitl. Over the years, he has established himself as one of the most dangerous players in the world, often operating as the Oilers’ ultimate offensive weapon. But the way he has taken control of this series against the Kings is something special.

As of now, Draisaitl has recorded at least one point in each of the first five games of the series against Los Angeles, extending his streak of consecutive playoff games with a point to eight. This puts him in the elite company of only Wayne Gretzky and Mark Messier, both of whom had similarly remarkable streaks during their own legendary playoff runs.

What makes this even more impressive is the fact that Draisaitl is not only scoring goals but also dishing out assists at a pace that can only be described as unstoppable. His ability to perform in the postseason — often under the highest of pressures — is something to behold.

A Force in All Phases of the Game

Leon Draisaitl’s playoff dominance isn’t confined to just one area of the ice. Whether it’s scoring goals, making plays, or finding space for his teammates, Draisaitl is doing it all, often singlehandedly breaking open tight games. His ability to do so in crucial moments has helped carry the Oilers to victory in several key matchups.

Scoring at Will

It’s no surprise that Draisaitl is known for his goal-scoring ability. His high hockey IQ, combined with his quick release and lethal shot, make him a nightmare for any goaltender. But in this series against the Kings, Draisaitl has found a new level of consistency. He’s been able to convert on both the power play and even-strength opportunities, frequently capitalizing on broken plays or creating his own chances out of nothing.

Playmaking Wizardry

However, what truly sets Draisaitl apart this year is his playmaking ability. Throughout this series, he has been a dynamic force in setting up his teammates. His vision and creativity with the puck have resulted in jaw-dropping assists, many of which have come from his incredible ability to thread passes through tight spaces or find teammates in the right spots at the right time.

Draisaitl’s two-way play has been equally impressive. He’s consistently been on the ice in critical situations, from killing penalties to contributing defensively in the Oilers’ zone. His ability to balance his offensive firepower with sound defensive play has been an underrated part of his success in the postseason.

Clutch Performances When It Matters Most

While all of these elements are important, Draisaitl’s ability to come through in clutch moments has arguably been his defining feature in this series. Whether it’s a late-game goal to tie the game or a perfectly timed assist to break a stalemate, Draisaitl has consistently been in the right place at the right time.

In Game 2 of the series, with the Oilers facing a 2–1 deficit in the third period, it was Draisaitl who responded with a power-play goal to tie the game, keeping the Oilers alive. Later in the series, he notched another game-winner, proving once again that he thrives when the stakes are highest.

Comparing Draisaitl to the Legends

For those wondering just how exceptional this run is, let’s take a look at the company Draisaitl now finds himself in. Wayne Gretzky, the greatest player to ever play the game, had multiple postseason streaks during his career that mirrored Draisaitl’s current run. In 1985, Gretzky set a record that still stands today, registering points in 17 consecutive playoff games — a record that seems almost untouchable.

But beyond Gretzky, Mark Messier is another name that stands out in Oilers lore when it comes to playoff dominance. Messier was a leader on and off the ice, and his ability to perform under pressure was critical to Edmonton’s success in the 1980s. His playoff streaks, including an eight-game point streak during the 1984 playoffs, mirror Draisaitl’s current dominance against the Kings.

For Draisaitl to be mentioned in the same breath as these two legendary Oilers is a testament to the incredible level at which he is performing. He is not just riding the coattails of McDavid’s brilliance — he is driving the offense in his own right and showing that he can be a franchise player in his own right.

The Oilers’ Playoff Push and Draisaitl’s Importance

While much of the focus heading into this playoff series was rightfully on the duo of McDavid and Draisaitl, the reality is that the Oilers’ success hinges significantly on Draisaitl’s ability to continue performing at this level. Edmonton’s playoff aspirations are directly tied to his production, and so far, Draisaitl has lived up to the expectations.

The importance of Draisaitl’s performance cannot be overstated. With Connor McDavid playing at an elite level and drawing significant defensive attention from the Kings, Draisaitl has been able to capitalize on the space afforded to him. He has provided the Oilers with the secondary scoring needed to support McDavid and put the Kings on their heels.

The Oilers’ power play — already one of the most lethal in the league — has been near perfect with both McDavid and Draisaitl orchestrating the offense. Together, the duo has the ability to break down any defense with their chemistry and high-level execution.

But as much as McDavid’s brilliance fuels the offense, Draisaitl’s timely goals and playmaking skills are becoming the ultimate X-factor in the Oilers’ playoff run.

What Lies Ahead: Draisaitl’s Playoff Legacy

With the Oilers now facing off against the Kings in what promises to be a highly competitive and hard-fought series, the stage is set for Draisaitl to further cement his legacy as one of the NHL’s most dominant playoff performers.

Should the Oilers advance to the second round, there’s no doubt that Draisaitl will continue to be the focal point of their attack. The question now is not just about how long he can sustain this elite level of play but how far the Oilers can go with him leading the charge.

Given the historic nature of his current streak, Draisaitl’s performance this postseason may go down as one of the greatest in recent memory, and possibly the best in Oilers’ playoff history.

The ultimate goal, of course, is winning the Stanley Cup. If Leon Draisaitl continues at this pace, his legacy as one of the NHL’s greats will only grow, and the Oilers’ chances of finally securing that elusive Cup will rise with it.

Final Thoughts: The Future of Draisaitl and the Oilers

Draisaitl’s journey in Edmonton has been one of both growth and consistency. While the road to the Stanley Cup is never guaranteed, he has proven time and again that he has the ability to take over games in the postseason — something that only the greatest players in NHL history can do.

As the Oilers continue their push for the Cup, Leon Draisaitl has made it clear: he’s not just a secondary star. He’s a superstar in his own right. The fact that he has been able to maintain such an incredible playoff streak is a testament to his work ethic, talent, and ability to perform when it matters most.

Whether or not the Oilers go on to win the Stanley Cup this year remains to be seen, but one thing is for sure: Leon Draisaitl’s playoff performance against the Kings will be remembered as one of the most remarkable runs in recent memory.