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According to an announcement from the Edmonton Oilers on Tuesday, Leon Draisaitl is anticipated to be absent for the remainder of the NHL regular season due to a lower-body ailment, compelling the two-time reigning Western Conference champions to strive for a playoff berth without a pivotal global hockey talent.
His absence is guaranteed for a minimum of the final 14 matchups, concluding on April 16.
The precise nature of the injury remained undisclosed, and it was uncertain if Draisaitl’s return for the playoffs, commencing the weekend of April 18-19, would be impacted.
On Sunday, Draisaitl exited the contest against Nashville following a significant collision with Ozzy Wiesblatt of the Predators in the initial period. He did not resume play.
Following their victory in that game, the Oilers occupied the third position in the Pacific Division standings, trailing Vegas by a single point and Anaheim by two, notwithstanding that both the Golden Knights and Ducks had an additional game remaining on their schedules.
Draisaitl has played a crucial role in Edmonton’s journey thus far. The 30-year-old forward currently holds the fourth spot league-wide in points, accumulating 97 in 65 appearances, placing him second on his squad only to Connor McDavid, who leads the NHL with 114 points.
Draisaitl secured the Hart Trophy for MVP in 2020 and finished as a finalist the previous season. The preceding month, he competed at the Olympics, emerging as Germany’s top scorer with a tally of seven points across five matches.
Draisaitl marks the second high-profile athlete to be ruled out for the remainder of the regular season schedule. Auston Matthews of Toronto will be unavailable for further play due to a torn medial collateral ligament in his left knee.
