Oilers Hit Hard by Injuries: McDavid and Draisaitl Sidelined
Superstars Out as Edmonton falls too jets in Overtime
The Edmonton Oilers suffered a double blow thursday night, losing 4-3 in overtime to the Winnipeg Jets and seeing captain Connor McDavid exit the game with a lower-body injury. The injury occurred after a collision with Jets defenseman Josh Morrissey in the second period.
Draisaitl Joins injury List, Team Hampered by cap Constraints
To compound matters, Edmonton is already without Leon Draisaitl, the NHL’s leading goal scorer. Draisaitl sustained a lower-body injury Tuesday,during the Oiler’s 7-1 victory over Utah. Coach Kris Knoblauch said Friday that both McDavid and Draisaitl are expected to be sidelined for approximately a week.
Goaltender Skinner Cleared to Play After Concussion scare
Adding to the drama, starting goaltender Stuart Skinner was briefly removed from the game late in the third period against the Jets due to concussion protocol. Though,Knoblauch confirmed Skinner is “fine and eligible to play” Saturday against the Seattle Kraken. Knoblauch disagreed with the decision to pull Skinner, a sentiment echoed by the goalie himself.
Oilers’ Roster Depth to be Tested Amidst Injury Crisis
With limited salary cap space (US$175,560), the oilers are currently unable to recall players from their American Hockey League affiliate in Bakersfield, unless it’s an emergency call-up. Veteran forward Derek Ryan, recalled Tuesday, is expected to enter the lineup saturday to bolster the forward ranks.
Skinner’s Two Goals Spark Hope Amidst Setbacks
Despite the adversity, the Oilers demonstrated resilience, battling back to tie the game in the third period on goals from Jeff Skinner and Zach Hyman. Knoblauch praised the team’s effort in the absence of McDavid.
Kane Progressing Towards Playoff Return
Evander Kane, recovering from abdominal and knee surgeries, has resumed skating with the team, participating in light practices. Knoblauch expressed optimism about kane’s progress and hopes he can contribute during the playoffs.”He’s been putting in the work and getting ready to play, and hopefully sometime during the playoffs, he’s available for us,” Knoblauch said.
What are the potential long-term implications of these lower-body injuries for both McDavid and Draisaitl, considering their importance to the Oilers’ success?
Oilers Hit Hard by Injuries: McDavid and Draisaitl Sidelined - Q&A
Key Questions Answered
Here’s a breakdown of the Oilers’ injury woes and what it means for their playoff push:
- 1. **What happened to Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl?**
- McDavid suffered a lower-body injury after a collision with Josh Morrissey of the Winnipeg Jets. Draisaitl sustained a lower-body injury during a game against Utah. Both are expected to be out for approximately a week.
- 2. **Is Stuart Skinner okay?**
- Yes. Skinner was briefly pulled from the game against the Jets due to concussion protocol,but he was cleared to play. He’s expected to start against the Seattle Kraken.
- 3. **Why can’t the Oilers call up players from their AHL affiliate?**
- The oilers have limited salary cap space (US$175,560). Roster moves from the AHL level need to be managed very closely. Veteran forward Derek Ryan was recalled earlier and is expected to enter the lineup.
- 4. **What about evander Kane?**
- Evander Kane is recovering from abdominal and knee surgeries and has resumed skating. He is progressing towards a playoff return, with the coach expressing optimism about him playing sometime during the playoffs.
- 5. **How did the Oilers perform without McDavid?**
- The Oilers showed resilience, battling back to tie the game against the Jets, tho they lost in overtime. Goals were scored by Jeff Skinner and Zach Hyman.
Trivia
- Did you know? Lower-body injuries are common in hockey due to the physical demands of skating, checking, and puck battles.
- Salary cap constraints can considerably impact a team’s ability to weather injuries.
The Oilers face a notable challenge without their star players, but their resilience and the potential return of Kane offer a glimmer of hope. Stay tuned to see how they navigate this injury crisis and if they can overcome the setback!
