Oilers lose Leon Draisaitl for rest of regular season as playoffs approach

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The Edmonton Oilers’ hopes of returning to the Stanley Cup final for the third consecutive year were thrown into flux on Tuesday.

The Oilers announced that Leon Draisaitl is expected to miss the rest of the regular season with a lower-body injury. The team said he sustained the injury on Sunday in the first period against the Nashville Predators.

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Edmonton Oilers center Leon Draisaitl (29) celebrates after scoring against Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Adin Hill (33), Sunday, March 8, 2026, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)

He will miss at least the final 14 games of the regular season, which comes to an end on April 16. The team didn’t say whether he will miss time once the playoffs begin.

Draisaitl took a bump from Predators’ Ozzy Wiesblatt and didn’t return. Edmonton ended up winning the game and sat in third place in the Pacific Division, one point back of the Vegas Golden Knights and two behind the Anaheim Ducks.

Edmonton was able to end Tuesday on a high note with a victory over the San Jose Sharks, 5-3. The victory bumped the Oilers to second place behind Anaheim and ahead of Vegas. However, the Oilers have played one more game than the Golden Knights and two more games than the Ducks.

Edmonton Oilers center Leon Draisaitl (29) scores against Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Adin Hill (33), Sunday, March 8, 2026, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)

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Adam Henrique assisted on goals for Vasily Podkolzin and Max Jones. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Connor Murphy and Zach Hyman also