Leon Draisaitl Injured During Oilers Game, Status Uncertain

SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) — Leon Draisaitl, the NHL’s leading goal scorer, left the Edmonton Oilers‘ game against the San Jose Sharks on Thursday night with an undisclosed injury and is doubtful for future games. The injury occurred midway through the second period when Draisaitl appeared to be in discomfort as he skated gingerly to the bench after an offensive play.

Despite his exit, the Oilers managed to secure a 4-3 victory over the Sharks. Earlier in the period, Draisaitl recorded an assist, bringing his season total to 106 points, including 52 goals, the highest in the league. This injury marks a concerning moment for the Oilers, who have already been dealing without another star player due to a previous injury.

Last month, Draisaitl missed four games due to an undisclosed injury, raising concerns about his durability heading into the playoffs. Head Coach Jay Woodcroft did not have further updates on Draisaitl as of the post-game press conference, indicating that the team would evaluate his condition in the coming days.

“Leon’s been a key player for us and we hope it’s nothing serious,” Woodcroft stated after the game. “We’ll assess him tomorrow and make a decision moving forward.”

The Oilers will need to remain resilient as they pursue a playoff spot, especially with the Pacific Division race heating up. Currently, they are five points ahead of the fourth-place team and will look to rely on other key players if Draisaitl is sidelined for an extended period.

The injury took place at a pivotal moment, as the Oilers look to solidify their standing in the NHL. They now face a challenging upcoming schedule, with several important games lined up against conference rivals.