Oilers’ Leon Draisaitl continues strong play in Game 1 against the Ducks

After a slow start to the playoffs, Leon Draisaitl is proving that he’s one of the top young players in the NHL.

The 21-year-old had four points in Game 1 of the Edmonton Oilers second-round series against the Anaheim Ducks, leading the Oilers to a 5-3 win.

“I think every player has a team that they like to play. The first two periods I didn’t do much at all. Obviously you need the bounces here and there too and we got them today,” Draisaitl said.

Watch below: This isn’t the first time Zack Kassian of the Edmonton Oilers and Cam Fowler of the Anaheim Ducks have shared the ice. The pair used to be teammates in the OHL. But now, they’re facing off in the NHL playoffs. Kevin Karius reports.

1:43 Former teammates face off in Edmonton Oilers/Anaheim Ducks playoff series

READ MORE: Edmonton Oilers dump the Ducks 5-3 in Anaheim in Game 1

It was a rough start to the playoffs for Draisaitl. He had no points in the first four games of the opening-round series against San Jose and was fined for spearing the Sharks’ Chris Tierney in Game 4. But he’s arguably been Edmonton’s best player since that point, recording seven points in three games, all of them Oiler wins.

“He doesn’t get enough credit. I don’t think people talk about him enough. This is a great opportunity for him to step right into the spotlight,” Connor McDavid said.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "He doesn't get enough credit. I don't think people talk about him enough. This is a great opportunity for him to step right into the spotlight," Connor McDavid said.

Watch below: Edmonton Oilers’ forward Leon Draisaitl has been excellent against the Anaheim Ducks this season and that was also the case Wednesday night in Game 1 of their playoff series. Kevin Karius has a closer look.

0:37 Edmonton Oilers’ Leon Draisaitl dominates against the Anaheim Ducks

MORE: Oilers’ Leon Draisaitl likes playing the Ducks: ‘It’s going to be intense’

The Sharks made it a focus to stop McDavid in the first round and the Ducks did the same in Game 1. Oilers head coach Todd McLellan said after Wednesday’s game the emphasis on McDavid has opened up room for Draisaitl.

“There’s so much attention put on 97 right now, there’s such a focus that others have to pick up the slack, and sometimes there’s ice there available, and in my opinion Leon took advantage of it tonight,” McLellan said.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "There's so much attention put on 97 right now, there's such a focus that others have to pick up the slack, and sometimes there's ice there available, and in my opinion Leon took advantage of it tonight," McLellan said.

WATCH BELOW: In Edmonton, it seems everywhere you look these days, fans are sporting their favourite player’s jersey. But as Jack Haskins reports, one particular Oilers sweater is really tough to find right now.

2:18 Everyone wants to dress like Draisaitl

“Connor is so good that he has that every game. Guys skate with him. They just don’t want him to touch the puck. I wouldn’t either if I was to play against him, but everyone needs to step up in our room and I thought we’ve had that in the playoffs so far,” Draisaitl said.

Draisaitl’s strong play could turn some of the Ducks’ attention from McDavid to Edmonton’s other young star.