Edmonton Oilers May Get Draisaitl Back in Round 1 of Playoffs – Hockey Writers –
There was good news for the Edmonton Oilers at their morning skate on April 13. Injured forward Leon Draisaitl was off the ice for practice and according to TSN’s Ryan Rishaug, he looked to be skating well.
After practice, Draisaitl told reporters, “I’m feeling a lot better. And it’s one day at a time.” When asked if he was ready for Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, Draisaitl sounded hopeful when he said, “We’ll see.”
Oilers Need Draisaitl If They Hope To Go Far In 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs
Draisaitl, who was injured in the March 15 game against the Nashville Predators, is the key to the Oilers’ hopes of reaching the Stanley Cup Finals for the third straight year. Even if he’s not 100% healthy, Draisaitl has proven in the past playoff series that he can be effective.
He was injured in Game 6 of the 2022 first-round series against the Los Angeles Kings and continued to make an impact for the Oilers in the spring despite an ankle injury. Draisaitl finished second in scoring as the Oilers lost in the Western Conference finals to the Colorado Avalanche.
Draisaitl Part of a Dense Group of Wounded Fat Killers
The Oilers have held the lead in the NHL’s Pacific Division despite losing key players to injuries since Draisaitl’s exit. Zach Hyman, Jason Dickinson, and Max Jones are all currently out of the lineup and it looks like Hyman and possibly Dickinson could be back by the first game of the playoffs. In accordance with SportsnetJones may be out until May 8 with a lower body injury.
Oilers Power Play Not So Deadly Without Leon
The Oilers lead the league in field goal percentage this season at 30.6%, however, they missed Draisaitl’s presence. During his absence, they went almost 10 games without scoring a goal.
The Oilers missed having Draisaitl down in his low post position with Hyman in front of the net. The departure of the two former 50-goal scorers from the roster hurt the Oilers as they retreated. It was especially evident on the power play and may have cost the Oilers a chance to win the Pacific title.
Draisaitl Remains in Top 10 in NHL Scoring
Despite being out for a month, Draisaitl is still in the top 10 in scoring in the NHL. As of April 13, he has 35 goals and 97 points, good for ninth in NHL scoring. If Draisaitl is healthy enough to return to the Oilers’ lineup, you can expect him to be among the top scorers in the playoffs.
Since the 2021-22 playoffs, Draisaitl has finished in the top 10 in scoring all season, and was tied for first in career scoring with teammate Connor McDavid last season with 33 points.
Healthy Draisaitl Increases Oilers’ Chances of Winning Stanley Cup in 2026
The Oilers clinched a playoff spot for the seventh consecutive season thanks to the Winnipeg Jets losing 7-1 to the Philadelphia Flyers on April 11. Although they are looking to finish in the middle of the pack in the NHL’s Western Conference, you can’t count Edmonton out for a return to the Stanley Cup Final. But they can’t do it without Draisaitl.
Related: Draisaitl’s injury was a blessing in disguise for the Oilers
Although the Oilers’ key players, such as Matt Savoie and Jack Roslovic, have stepped up in Draisaitl’s absence, the team has missed his leadership and scoring since his injury. A healthy Draisaitl, even if he’s not 100%, greatly increases the chances of the Oilers winning their first Stanley Cup since 1990.
