Leon Draisaitl heaps huge praise on ‘underrated’ teammate Vasily Podkolzin following Oilers 6-2 victory over Rangers

Leon Draisaitl labeled Vasily Podkolzin as an 'underrated' player and was happy for him to get on the scoreboard in their recent 6-2 win.

Leon Draisaitl heaps huge praise on ‘underrated’ teammate Vasily Podkolzin following Oilers 6-2 victory over Rangers

Leon Draisaitl (L) and Vasily Podkolzin (R) [Image via NHLPA/Instagram]

Following a slow start to the 2024-25 season, Russian star Vasily Podkolzin finally opened his goal-scoring account with the Edmonton Oilers. His performance in the team’s 6-2 victory over the New York Rangers earned him huge praise from Leon Draisaitl who called him an ‘underrated’ player.

After joining the Oilers from the Vancouver Canucks, the 23-year-old had been waiting to find the back of the net for his new team. His goalless streak finally snapped as he opened the scoring in this game.

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With less than three minutes left in the first period, the Oilers would find themselves on the break. Draisaitl would square a pass to Podkolzin who fired a shot past Rangers’ goalie Jonathan Quick to make it 1-0.

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This turned out to be his first goal since March 2023. In the time between that goal and this one for the Oilers, the winger went 44 games without scoring.

Draisaitl though was not worried about that. Despite not scoring before this game, Podkolzin’s performance and work ethic had impressed him and his teammates. While praising him, the German international was happy for him to get on the scoreboard.

He’s a really, really good hockey player. He’s really underrated, and he does a lot of things that go unnoticed and that a lot of people that don’t really understand hockey, they don’t pick up on it, but he’s a really underrated hockey player. Obviously, very happy for him to get on the board.

Leon Draisaitl said on Vasily Podkolzin in the post-game conference

Leon Draisaitl himself went on to find the back of the net as well. In the second period, he combined with his strike partner Connor McDavid to put the Oilers 3-0 up and make it 16 goals for him this season.

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Coach Kris Knoblauch comments on Vasily Podkolzin’s performance and goal against Rangers

In the Edmonton Oilers 6-2 win over the New York Rangers, Vasily Podkolzin stole the headlines as he finally scored. His coach Kris Knoblauch seemed happy with his performance and goal and commented on this after the game.

Vasily Podkolzin and Kris Knoblauch
Vasily Podkolzin (L) and Kris Knoblauch (R) [Image via Yardbarker/VHL]

The 46-year-old coach claimed that Podkolzin had been practicing hard in training and admitted he did several things right. He also informed that Podkolzin’s parents were leaving back for Russia soon. So it was a good time for him to finally break the goalless run.

He’s been putting in a lot of work from day one. Time before practice, working hard in practice, spending more time after practice. He’s been doing so many things right… Finally one went in for him. What’s really nice about tonight is that his parents have been here for about three weeks. Tonight was their last night here, they’re leaving tomorrow so it’s nice they got to see that.

Kris Knoblauch said in the post game conference

Following this goal, Podkolzin took this season’s points tally to 6 after having five assists before. Knoblauch would now be hoping that he is able to continue this form and not go on another long goalless run.

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As for the Oilers, the team continues to have mixed results with this win. In their last six games, they have won three and lost three leaving them fourth in the Pacific Division. They will now embark on a three-game road trip with the first encounter coming against the Utah Hockey Club