Oilers’ Leon Draisaitl a ‘maybe’ for Game 1 of playoffs
Some inauspicious news regarding one of the best players in the game.
When speaking to the media on Monday, Edmonton Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch listed forward Leon Draisaitl as a “maybe” for the team’s potential opening game of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Speaking with Knoblauch, it sounds like Draisaitl is a ‘maybe’ for Game 1 of the playoffs. Hyman should play reg season games.
Knoblauch also stated that forward Zach Hyman is expected to play again in the regular season, despite an undisclosed injury keeping him out of action.
Draisaitl has been out with a lower-body injury suffered on March 15 against the Nashville Predators. In the first period of the game, he took a hit from Predators Ozzy Wiesblatt, which led Draisaitl to awkwardly bump into the boards. Along with missing the rest of the game, the 30-year-old was ruled out for the rest of the regular season.
It was later reported that Draisaitl returned to his native Germany in order to receive treatment for his injury, with the reigning Rocket Richard Trophy winner stating that recovery “will definitely take a few weeks.”
In 65 games played this year, Draisaitl has scored 35 goals and 62 assists for 97 points, still good for second on the team in scoring behind captain Connor McDavid.
Hyman had appeared in every single one of the Oilers’ games since making his season debut in November. However, a nagging injury forced him to miss this past Saturday’s contest against the Vegas Golden Knights. There isn’t much time for him to recover, as Edmonton has just five games left before the postseason.
In 57 games, Hyman has scored 31 goals and 20 assists for 51 points.
The Oilers (39-29-9) sit tied for first place in the Pacific Division with the Anaheim Ducks and still have yet to clinch a playoff spot.