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The Edmonton Oilers’ hopes of returning to the Stanley Cup Final for the third straight year were shattered Tuesday.
The Oilers announced that Leon Draisaitl is expected to miss the remainder of the regular season with a lower body injury. The team said he was injured Sunday in the first period against the Nashville Predators.
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Edmonton Oilers center Leon Draisaitl (29) celebrates after scoring against Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Adin Hill (33) during the third period of an NHL hockey game, Sunday, March 8, 2026, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)
He will miss at least the final 14 games of the regular season, which ends April 16. The team did not say whether he would miss time once the playoffs begin.
Draisaitl took a bump from the Predators’ Ozzy Wiesblatt and didn’t return. Edmonton ended up winning the game and placed third in the Pacific Division, one point behind the Vegas Golden Knights and two behind the Anaheim Ducks.
Edmonton managed to finish Tuesday on a high note with a victory against the San Jose Sharks, 5-3. The win moved the Oilers into second place behind Anaheim and ahead of Vegas. However, the Oilers have played one more game than the Golden Knights and two more games than the Ducks.
Edmonton Oilers center Leon Draisaitl (29) scores against Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Adin Hill (33) during the third period of an NHL hockey game, Sunday, March 8, 2026, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)
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Adam Henrique contributed to goals from Vasily Podkolzin and Max Jones. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Connor Murphy and Zach Hyman also scored.
“That line was huge for us, and we’ve talked before about needing to step up guys,” Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch said after the win over the Sharks, via NHL.com. “No one will replace Leon. That will never happen. But everyone collectively has to be a little better. That fourth line, all three of them, made the difference tonight.”
Draisaitl has been a major contributor for the Oilers since joining the team. He ranks fourth in the league with 97 points in 65 games played, second on the team behind Connor McDavid, who leads the league with 114 points.
Leon Draisaitl (29) of the Edmonton Oilers controls the puck under pressure from Philip Broberg (6) of the St. Louis Blues during the third period of an NHL hockey game, Friday, March 13, 2026, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Scott Kane)
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Draisaitl won the Hart Trophy as league MVP in 2020 and finished second last season.
