Leon Draisaitl Leaves Oilers Game with Injury, Team Rallies to Victory
Big news coming out of San Jose—Edmonton Oilers' superstar and current NHL goal-scoring leader, Leon Draisaitl, had to leave Thursday night’s game against the Sharks due to an undisclosed injury. It happened midway through the second period, and after skating gingerly to the bench, Draisaitl made his way to the dressing room and did not return to the ice. At this point, head coach Kris Knoblauch has provided no update on the severity of the injury, leaving Oilers fans anxious as the playoffs loom just over two weeks away.
Despite losing one of their key offensive weapons, the Oilers managed to pull off a crucial 3-2 win. Jeff Skinner stepped up in a big way, scoring the go-ahead goal shortly after Draisaitl’s exit. This victory keeps Edmonton within two points of the Los Angeles Kings in the battle for home-ice advantage in the first round of the playoffs. It’s a tight race, and every point counts.
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Draisaitl had already made an impact earlier in the game, notching an assist before his injury. His absence is a tough blow for an Oilers squad that is already missing another superstar—Connor McDavid. McDavid has been sidelined since March 20 after a collision with Winnipeg’s Josh Morrissey, and though he’s been skating in a non-contact jersey, there’s still no clear timeline for his return.
After the game, Skinner emphasized the importance of depth in moments like this, stating, “Obviously, we’ve had some injuries to key guys. It’s a lot of opportunity for other guys to step up, and I think guys have done a good job so far. We’re going to have to continue that and keep working together to get the results we want.”
Knoblauch echoed similar sentiments, recognizing the challenge of playing without their top stars but also seeing the opportunity for other players to shine. “You never want to miss those guys,” he admitted. “Every time they’re not in, it decreases your chances of winning because they are good players, obviously. But what happens is other guys have some opportunities to play, get some confidence, and hopefully score some goals, because we’re going to need them.”
The Oilers have been finding ways to win, even with key players missing. Thursday’s victory marked their third straight, thanks in part to strong performances from depth players like Connor Brown, Viktor Arvidsson, and goaltender Calvin Pickard. Brown broke an 11-game scoring drought with a goal in the first period, Arvidsson continued his hot streak with a power-play goal, and Pickard made 27 saves, including a crucial stop in the final minute of regulation.
Looking ahead, the Oilers face another big test on Saturday against the Kings—a game that could have major playoff implications. The team will be hoping for good news on Draisaitl’s status, but in the meantime, it’s clear that Edmonton’s depth will have to carry them forward. With the playoffs right around the corner, every game matters, and the Oilers will need all hands on deck to keep their momentum going.
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