The Edmonton Oilers will be without their top two players this week, with coach Kris Knoblauch saying Monday it’s ‘still going to be awhile’ before Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl return from injuries.
McDavid, a three-time MVP, and Draisaitl sat out Saturday’s contest after being injured in separate games last week. Draisaitl, the NHL’s top goal scorer, has missed two games. The Oilers have three games this week.
‘We’re going to play a couple games without them at least,’ Knoblauch said.
The Oilers, who reached Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final last season, are tied for second in the Pacific Division, five points behind the Vegas Golden Knights. The Los Angeles Kings, who have a game in hand, and Edmonton have 87 pointts.
Here is the latest on the injured Oilers stars:
Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl injury update
Knoblauch said McDavid wouldn’t play this week. He was hurt Thursday night after he appeared to catch a stick from Josh Morrissey as he skated around the Winnipeg Jets defenseman.
Counting Saturday, McDavid has missed seven games this season – three for an ankle injury and three to a suspension.
Knoblauch added that Draisaitl isn’t ‘day-to-day yet.’ He sat out Thursday’s game after suffering an undisclosed injury in a March 18 game.
The Oilers won Saturday’s game against the Seattle Kraken behind a Ryan Nugent-Hopkins hat trick. Edmonton plays the Dallas Stars, Seattle Kraken and Calgary Flames this week.
‘In the short term, it’s harder for us to win games and move up in the standings … but collectively for our team, we want to be at our best for the playoffs,’ Knoblauch said, adding, ‘This little break without having those two, maybe that helps other guys find their games and step it up.’
Connor McDavid stats
McDavid ranks fourth in the league with 90 points. He has 26 goals and 64 assists.
Leon Draisaitl stats
Draisaitl leads the league with 49 goals and is second with 101 points.