Leon Draisaitl Is Back for Game 1 and the Oilers Just Got a Whole Lot More Dangerous
The Edmonton Oilers are getting their star center back at exactly the right moment. Multiple sources told ESPN that Leon Draisaitl is expected to suit up for Game 1 of the Western Conference quarterfinal against the Anaheim Ducks on Monday, and this timing could be the difference between another deep run and another heartbreaking exit.
Draisaitl has been sidelined since March 15 with a lower-body injury he suffered against Nashville. He flew to Germany for specialist treatment before returning to Edmonton to finish his rehab, but the work is paying off. He practiced with the team all last week and was on the ice Sunday running with Edmonton's top power-play unit. That's the kind of game-ready look you want to see before the playoffs start.
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When Draisaitl went down, it stung. The guy put up 97 points in just 65 games this season with 35 goals and 62 assists. That's elite production, and losing him for any stretch of games is brutal. Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch had said Monday that Draisaitl was a game-time decision, along with veteran forward Jason Dickinson, but the signs all pointed to the star center being ready to roll.
The Oilers looked solid down the stretch without him, winning seven of their final 11 games, which tells you something about the depth they've built. But you don't want to be without your best playmakers in the playoffs. Now they get Draisaitl back for a Ducks team that's making their first playoff appearance in eight years.
The Mission: Finally Get Over the Hump
Edmonton finished second in the Pacific Division and earned home ice against Anaheim. More importantly, they're looking to break through after losing in the Stanley Cup Final the past two seasons. With Draisaitl and Connor McDavid both in their lineup at full strength, the Oilers have the firepower to make a real run. This isn't a team that's rebuilding or hoping. This is a team trying to end a championship drought.
Game 1 is Monday. The Ducks are dangerous because they're hungry and fresh, but the Oilers just got stronger. That's all you need to know.
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