Draisaitl injured? Edmonton Oilers superstar could miss tonight’s game
The Edmonton Oilers could be down one of their best players in tonight’s game against the Winnipeg Jets.
After not skating at yesterday’s practice and seemingly being in some pain after an awkward fall against Utah, Leon Draisaitl has been labelled as doubtful to play tonight. This would be the first game that he has missed all season.
Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch addressed Draisaitl’s status after morning skate at Rogers Place earlier today.
“Leon tonight is doubtful to play,” Knoblauch said. “We’re treating this as day-to-day. We’ll need guys stepping out in Leon’s absence the way he’s been playing.”
Coach Knoblauch comments on Prime Minister @MarkJCarney's visit with the team this morning, Leon Draisaitl's health status, the current win streak & more ahead of tonight's #Oilers vs. Jets matchup.@Enterprise | #LetsGoOilers pic.twitter.com/JpgOd7absp
— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) March 20, 2025
The nature of the issue that Draisaitl is fighting through was not confirmed by Knoblauch, but it’s safe to assume it may be something in his lower body. The German superstar was involved in an awkward fall with Utah’s Olli Maata and seemed to favour one of his legs after the play.
Luckily, by the sounds of it, this injury doesn’t appear to be something that could keep Draisaitl out for a long period.
Argh!
Hope Draisaitl is OK. pic.twitter.com/IbixzuQhq7
— David Staples (@dstaples) March 19, 2025
Knoblauch also acknowledged the fact that the Oilers will be handling their star players with an extra layer of precaution to ensure that they are firing on all cylinders once the playoffs come around.
“It’s definitely being cautious,” Knoblauch said. “We’re nearing the end of the regular season, hitting the playoffs. We want 100 per cent from Leon when he’s healthy and this is something we do not want to linger.
“We don’t want it to be an issue for the long term so this is definitely the right play we believe. Leon has played through so much, he’s a battler, so it’s not too often he comes out of the lineup.”
Draisaitl is leading the NHL with 49 goals on the season, which is 11 more than the second-place William Nylander. Before Tuesday, Leon was also on a wicked 18-game points streak and somehow managed to stay off the scoresheet against Utah despite the Oilers scoring seven goals.
We will have to wait and see how Knoblauch alters the lineup if Draisaitl can’t go tonight.