Oilers' Draisaitl expected to return from injury 'well before' playoffs
Draisaitl's 52 goals so far this season leads the NHL
Edmonton Oilers centre Leon Draisaitl is "out short term" but should return "well before" the playoffs begin after sustaining a lower-body injury against the San Jose Sharks Thursday, says head coach Kris Knoblauch.
Draisaitl, who leads the NHL with 52 goals this season, didn't practice Friday and won't play against the Los Angeles Kings on Saturday. He missed the second half of the second period and all of the third period in a 3-2 win over the Sharks.
Knoblauch said Friday that he expects Draisaitl back before the postseason begins on April 19, where the Oilers are likely to face the Kings in the first round of the playoffs for the fourth straight year.
"We think [he's] going to be back well before that, so we're not too concerned, especially with Leon's pain tolerance and things that he's played through before, but he will be missing some time," Knoblauch said.
Draisaitl missed four games in late March because of an undisclosed injury. Knoblauch said this new ailment is unrelated.
Draisaitl was on pace to set a new career-high in scoring after reaching the 50-goal mark for the third time in four seasons, and his 106 points is third in the league.
The one-two punch of Draisaitl and fellow superstar centre Connor McDavid powered the Oilers to the Stanley Cup Final last year, but Edmonton is currently without both players as they try to chase down the Kings for second place in the Pacific Division and home-ice advantage for the first round.
McDavid has not played since sustaining a lower-body injury in a collision with Winnipeg defenceman Josh Morrissey on March 20.
In spite of those absences, Edmonton has won three straight and is 7-2-1 in its past 10 games.
"It's impressive," forward Trent Frederic said. "Even last night, it's a big win there… No, the team's looked unreal."
Frederic was acquired from the Boston Bruins in a three-team trade on March 4 but has yet to play for the Oilers because of an ankle injury. He took part in practice Friday and could make his Edmonton debut on Saturday.