With the playoffs fast approaching, the Edmonton Oilers find themselves in a tough spot with star forward Leon Draisaitl currently ruled out with a lower-body injury. The German international picked up a knock after taking a hit from Nashville Predators forward Ozzy Wiesblatt.
Draisaitl’s lower back smacked against the boards awkwardly, and despite trying to carry on, he had to exit after the first period.
Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch discussed Leon Draisaitl’s status at a recent press conference, stating that the injury may not be as serious as initially feared.
However, the Oilers later announced that the center was expected to be out for the remainder of the regular season.
Draisaitl is currently in Germany seeking treatment and said that he hopes to be back in time for the playoffs. Speaking to SkySports, he said,
“I hope so. That’s the plan, the reason I’m here right now. (The recovery) will definitely take a few weeks. That’s for sure. I hope we play long enough so I can help out again at some point.”
The Oilers (34-28-9) have 11 games remaining in the regular season, and are currently third in the Pacific Division, three points behind the Anaheim Ducks and a point behind the Vegas Golden Knights.
Sports medical expert discusses Leon Draisaitl’s likely injury
It is common in the NHL for teams to withhold information about certain players’ upper- or lower-body injuries. Dr. Harjas Grewal, who specializes in sports medicine, recently discussed the potential injury Leon Draisaitl sustained.
Grewal indicated that the collision would have likely hurt Draisaitl’s lower left side and that the lack of padding on the sidewalls of the hockey pants would have caused the forward to endure significant pain.
Furthermore, in his X post, he mentioned that the forward could have also sustained a shoulder injury because there was shoulder-to-shoulder contact during the crash.
“Wonder if there’s a possible right hip pointer for Draisaitl when he hit the boards. Hockey pants don’t have much padding on the side. Pain is main issue. Likely day-to-day Some shoulder to shoulder contact so maybe a separated shoulder but don’t really think so.”
The Oilers face the Utah Mammoth on Tuesday, March 24. A win will help them leapfrog the Golden Knights, but in a tightly contested Pacific Division, every game will now feel like a must-win to keep their playoff hopes alive.
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