Oilers head coach delivers an injury update on Leon Draisaitl
Oilers Head Coach Kris Knoblauch has provided an injury update on Leon Draisaitl, and it's not the result Oilers fans were hoping for.
Draisaitl left the game in discomfort during the second period in Game 1 against the Canucks, but later returned for the third.
After Wednesday's game, Knoblauch blamed Draisaitl's woes on "cramping and some equipment issues." However, on Thursday, the coach confirmed that Draisaitl's injury status had shifted to "day-to-day."
While there wasn't a readily apparent injury to the star during the game, it's hard to believe cramps and equipment issues would have a prolonged impact on any player.
In his place, Sam Gagner skated in the 2nd line centre position.
Foegele-McDavid-Hyman
RNH-Gagner*-Kane
Holloway-McLeod-Perry
Janmark-Ryan-Brown
*likely placeholder for Draisaitl. Henrique skated but didn't take rushes. Both labelled "day to day" and status for Game 2 is unknown.
Gagner skating that far in the lineup could point towards good news for the Oilers regarding Draisaitl's injury, but Edmonton may be missing two top-six forwards, Henrique and Draisaitl, for Game 2.
An essential part of the Oilers' offensive success, losing Draisaitl would be catastrophic for Edmonton. The game tilted in the Canucks' favour when he left the game, and it looks as if Connor McDavid is going to need all the help he can get.
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Are the Oilers cooked if Leon Draisaitl isn't at 100%? | ||
| Yes | 639 | 57.4 % |
| NO | 474 | 42.6 % |
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