In a significant blow to the Edmonton Oilers, German ice hockey superstar Leon Draisaitl will be sidelined for the remainder of the NHL regular season.
The club confirmed on Tuesday that the 30-year-old forward sustained a lower-body injury. The regular season is set to conclude on April 16, with the playoffs beginning shortly thereafter. The Oilers’ position in the playoff race is currently not guaranteed.
Draisaitl suffered the injury on Sunday during the 3-1 victory against the Nashville Predators. The incident occurred in the first period after a forceful hit into the boards, forcing him to leave the ice. The Cologne native played only 3 minutes and 12 seconds before his early exit and did not return to the game.
«I think we’re going to have to do without him for a while,» head coach Kris Knoblauch had already indicated on Monday (local time). Draisaitl has been a key offensive force for the Oilers this season, tallying 35 goals and 62 assists in 65 games.
While the Oilers currently hold a playoff spot, their lead over the chasing teams in the standings is not substantial, making Draisaitl’s absence a critical challenge for the team’s postseason aspirations.