Leon Draisaitl Suffers Injury, Out for Regular Season

Leon Draisaitl is out for the rest of the NHL regular season with a lower-body injury. The Edmonton Oilers announced this on Tuesday, dealing a blow to their playoff hopes.

What happened?

Draisaitl left Sunday's game against the Nashville Predators after a hard bump from Ozzy Wiesblatt. He did not return to the game and will miss at least 14 games through April 16. The Oilers won that game, but now sit in third place in the Pacific Division.

Why it matters for Leon Draisaitl

Draisaitl has been a key player for the Oilers, ranking fourth in the league in scoring with 97 points in 65 games. He is second on the team behind Connor McDavid, who has 114 points. Draisaitl won the Hart Trophy as MVP in 2020 and was the runner-up last season.

What comes next?

The Oilers will have to hold on to their playoff spot without Draisaitl. They are one point back of the Vegas Golden Knights and two behind the Anaheim Ducks. Draisaitl's injury is a significant blow to the team's chances. He played at the Olympics last month, leading Germany with seven points in five games. The Oilers will have to find a way to replace Draisaitl's production. Draisaitl is the second prominent player to be sidelined for the rest of the regular season. Toronto's Auston Matthews won't play again due to a torn medial collateral ligament in his left knee. The Oilers will have to regroup and focus on making the playoffs without their star player. Draisaitl's injury is a tough break for the team, but they will have to find a way to overcome it. The playoffs begin the weekend of April 18-19, and the Oilers will have to be ready.