An Edmonton Oilers game without both Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl on the ice is an extremely rare occurrence. In fact, it had never happened before since McDavid first joined the team in the 2015-16 season. That streak ended on Saturday when injuries kept both star players out of the lineup against the Seattle Kraken.
How the Injuries Happened
McDavid’s injury stemmed from a cross-check to the midsection by Winnipeg Jets defenseman Josh Morrissey late in the second period of the Oilers’ 4-3 loss on Thursday. The hit forced McDavid out of the game for the entire third period and overtime. Meanwhile, Draisaitl sustained a lower-body injury during Tuesday’s game against Utah following a collision with defenseman Olli Määttä. Despite logging more than 22 minutes of ice time in that game, concerns arose the next day regarding the severity of his injury. As a result, the team decided to keep him out of Thursday’s game and possibly more.
Uncertain Timelines for Return
After the team’s practice session on March 24, head coach Kris Knoblauch provided an update on the status of both players. Unfortunately, his comments did not offer much optimism about their immediate return. When asked if either McDavid or Draisaitl was close to coming back, Knoblauch stated, “Connor, not. Leon’s still, he’s not day to day yet, so they’re going to be still a while.” He further added, “So we will be playing a couple games without them at least, so it’s good for those other guys that they know that they’re going to get some more playing time.”
With both of their top stars sidelined, the Oilers will need to rely on their depth players to step up in the coming games. The absence of McDavid and Draisaitl presents an opportunity for other members of the team to take on larger roles and contribute in ways they might not have otherwise.
A Test for the Oilers’ Depth
The Oilers’ ability to perform without McDavid and Draisaitl will be a significant test of their overall team depth. While the loss of two of the league’s most dominant players is a major setback, it also serves as a chance for other members of the roster to prove their capabilities in an increased role.
This situation is still developing, and further updates on their conditions will likely emerge in the coming days. Until then, the Oilers will have to navigate a difficult stretch without their two biggest stars.