Brett Kulak, the Edmonton Oilers' defenseman, was unexpectedly absent from his pre-game routine for Game 1 against the Los Angeles Kings. Instead, he flew home to welcome the birth of his second daughter, Scotlyn. The C-section was moved up, allowing him to spend precious moments with his family before rejoining the Oilers just hours before puck drop.

Despite the whirlwind of emotions, Kulak expressed gratitude for his family's health and support from his wife, Caitlin, who encouraged him to focus on hockey. Notably, this is not the first time Kulak has navigated such a situation during the playoffs; he experienced a similar circumstance with his first daughter's birth. Returning to the game, he logged nearly 25 minutes in ice time, underscoring his commitment to both family and team.

Jon Irvin provides valuable insights for today’s NHL DFS contests, focusing on standout picks for DraftKings and FanDuel as the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs ramp up. With the absence of all four original U.S.-based teams, the slate features exciting matchups including the STL/WPG and COL/DAL series.

Key picks highlighted include goalie Darcy Kuemper, who has dominated the Oilers this season, along with centers like Pierre-Luc Dubois, who has been a consistent producer at home. Irvin emphasizes the importance of finding value picks to stay competitive in DFS formats, recommending players like Gabriel Landeskog, returning from injury, and defenseman Brett Kulak, who has been effective in limited ice time.

In an exhilarating comeback, the Edmonton Oilers triumphed over the Colorado Avalanche 4-3, overcoming a three-goal deficit with less than seven minutes remaining. This victory marked the Oilers' fourth consecutive win and eighth in their last nine games, solidifying their status as one of the hottest teams in the NHL.

Connor McDavid led the charge with a goal and an assist, while Viktor Arvidsson and Brett Kulak also found the net. Despite a shaky start, goalie Stuart Skinner made 22 crucial saves to secure the win. Meanwhile, Colorado's Logan O’Connor and Nathan MacKinnon initially put the Avalanche ahead with three quick goals in the first period.

Leon Draisaitl's late third-period goal propelled the Edmonton Oilers to a 3-2 victory over the Anaheim Ducks, marking the team's second consecutive win. Darnell Nurse contributed with a goal and an assist, while Ryan Nugent-Hopkins also found the net. Goaltender Stuart Skinner made 27 saves, helping the Oilers secure their 10th win in 13 games.

The Ducks, who had been on a three-game winning streak, managed to score through Brett Leason and Jackson LaCombe. Lukas Dostal recorded 23 saves in the loss. Draisaitl's decisive goal came with just 1:35 left in the game, after the Oilers relinquished a 2-0 lead.

Notably, Draisaitl's performance extended his points streak to 13 games, during which he has tallied 11 goals and 25 points. He has now surpassed Glenn Anderson for fifth place in Oilers franchise history with 907 career points. In contrast, Connor McDavid saw his own points streak come to an end at 12 games.

In a thrilling matchup, the Edmonton Oilers edged the Anaheim Ducks 3-2, thanks to a late game-winning goal from Leon Draisaitl. Darnell Nurse contributed significantly with a goal and an assist, while Ryan Nugent-Hopkins also found the back of the net for the Oilers, who have now won two consecutive games and 10 out of their last 13. The Ducks, on the other hand, saw their three-game winning streak come to an end despite goals from Brett Leason and Jackson LaCombe.

With just 95 seconds left in regulation, Draisaitl broke the 2-2 tie, marking his 28th goal of the season and extending his impressive points streak to 13 games. Meanwhile, Stuart Skinner made 27 saves for the Oilers, while Lukas Dostal stopped 23 shots for the Ducks. The game showcased the Oilers' strong offensive and defensive capabilities, highlighting their recent surge in performance.