Leon Draisaitl is a game-time decision in Oiler injury update news. The German national, and centre of the Edmonton Oilers, is one of the top NHL Stanley Cup playoff performers of his generation. Even through six games in this year’s playoffs, he has 12 points. Draisaitl just continues to be one of the most productive producers in the playoffs, year-after-year. Here we shall analyze his impact on the Edmonton Oilers lineup.
It’s Always News When Talking About Leon Draisaitl and a Potential Injury
Leon Draisaitl has 850 career regular season points through ten years in the NHL. Last season, he posted a career-high 128 points, with 52 goals and 76 assists. Moreover, when we shift to discuss the playoffs, Draisaitl maintains his superhero status. Draisaitl leads active players and is third all-time, in goals-per-game at 0.655. During the 2022 playoffs, when he led the playoffs in assists, he did much of it one leg. Having sustained an injury early in the playoffs, Leon Draisaitl managed to play through it. And excel.
Some Statistics Behind what a Leon Draisaitl Injury could Impact
Now if we look at what he brings to the lineup, and what without him looks like. In 2023-24, he scored 41 goals and added 65 assists for 106 points. Draisaitl plays 20:42 a night, and is locked in on the faceoff dot, at 56.9%. Therefore, he takes a lot of key power play draws. What comes from his faceoff abilities and having him in the lineup, means a lot of heavy-lighting. Draisaitl can wear down opponents, with aggressive forechecking and cycling of the puck. His impact truly is felt throughout the brunt of a full, seven game series.
If we look at how the Oilers’ lines stack up in the playoffs, Draisaitl is a big impact. If he can sneak out there with Connor McDavid and Zach Hyman, they’d probably score 150 goals between them a season. Oh ya, anyway. Conversely, Draisaitl has played mostly with Ryan Nugent-Hopkins these playoffs. And the two together haven’t been producing at even strength. Of course, the power play is a different story. But the idea is that the power play should be able to produce even without Draisaitl in the lineup. Therefore, without Draisaitl in the lineup, the options of how to generate offence are lessened at even strength.
One more stat to throw your way on Leon Draisaitl and the Edmonton Oilers. Since Draisaitl’s playoff debut in 2017, he has suited up for all the team’s games. The Oilers have a record of 26-29 overall. The fact he’s played that much hockey without missing playoff hockey show the ultimate playoff warrior and performer he is.
Injury News Today on Leon Draisaitl
Draisaitl missed yesterday’s practice, and there is a message around him being day-to-day. In contrast, it is later on gameday today, and only now finding out it is a game-time decision. The Oilers camp are probably staying quiet for as long as possible, because it is the playoffs after all. So, stay tuned, as game two, with the Oilers down 1-0 in their series against the Vancouver Canucks. Many Oilers will need to take advantage and jump up, if Draisaitl can’t go.
Main photo credit: Yannick Peterhans-USA TODAY Sports
