Both the Edmonton Oilers and their fans are collectively holding their breaths as star forward Leon Draisaitl‘s playing status remains uncertain. He was confirmed as day-to-day by head coach Kris Knoblauch after he missed shifts during Game 1 against the Vancouver Canucks. Midway through the game, Draisaitl went to the locker room after a quick 10-second shift. He came back in the third, but something looked amiss. Following the stunning Game 1 loss, he did not participate in the Oilers’ Thursday practise.
More injury woes for the Oilers
Trade deadline acquisition Adam Henrique is also considered day-to-day. In five playoff games (all against the Los Angeles Kings), Henrique has posted one goal and one assist. He didn’t play in Game 1 versus the Canucks but did participate in practise, albeit not to a full degree.
Game-time decisions for both players
One of the best playoff performers of the modern era, Draisaitl’s absence whether it be per shift, per power play, per period, or per game would be felt throughout the Oilers’ lineup.
While it is already more common during the regular season, teams are especially privy to the status of their players in the playoffs. Whether Draisaitl’s absence at the practise was strictly necessary due to injury or given to him for extra maintenance, only when it comes time for the game roster to be submitted will it become clear what the Oilers do.
Per Knoblauch, both players are expected to skate in warmup, and a decision on whether they’ll play or not will be made then. Draisaitl was available for the pregame media scrum and also coyly confirmed his playing status as being a game-time decision, alluding to how it’d take a lot to keep him out of the lineup, but not saying for certain whether he’d be in or out.
Further, Draisaitl didn’t partake in the morning skate while Henrique did. Connor Brown and Sam Carrick are the players essentially ready for deployment pending the playing statuses of Draisaitl and Henrique.
A big impact in the playoffs
So far in six games, Draisaitl has put up at least one point in every appearance, totalling five goals and seven assists to average out at a massive two points per game. His firepower will be necessary against the Canucks as it’s apparent the Western Canadian rivals have tricks up their sleeves and continue to have the Oilers’ number this season against all odds.
The Canucks dominated Game 1 by most accounts and their comeback, although unlikely, was deserved. It was a wake-up call for the Oilers that their opponents are not to be taken lightly, and they’ll have to work around their roster availability.
The playoffs and adversity go hand-in-hand and losing Draisaitl for any period of time would be a massive setback for the Oilers. Let’s hope the Oilers labelling the injury as day-to-day really does mean that and that the second round will feature Draisaitl more often than not.
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