The Edmonton Oilers will be without forward Leon Draisaitl for the rest of the regular season due to a lower-body injury, the team announced Tuesday.
Draisaitl was injured after a collision with Nashville Predators forward Ozzy Wiesblatt in the first period of Sunday’s 3-1 victory. He returned for a few shifts later in the opening frame but did not take the ice when the second period began.
The 28-year-old has 97 points in 65 games this season, second on the Oilers, and has been a central figure in the club’s offense. Edmonton says he is expected to miss the remainder of the regular schedule while the injury is evaluated.
Head coach Kris Knoblauch told reporters on Sunday that initial medical feedback suggested the injury “shouldn’t be a really long” absence and that there were “no immediate red flags.” The team will continue assessments to determine his recovery timeline.
Draisaitl’s absence arrives at a critical stretch in the playoff race. The Oilers are 33-26-9 with 14 games to play and sit third in the Pacific Division, two points behind the Anaheim Ducks and one point behind the Vegas Golden Knights.
Edmonton currently holds a four-point cushion over the Seattle Kraken