All eyes were on the Edmonton Oilers crease heading into Tuesday’s game against the visiting New Jersey Devils.

Not only were the Oilers looking to win three games in a row for the first time this season, but they had the momentum of back-to-back shutouts paving the way.

At the same time, the Oilers combined for 11 goals in those wins, despite being without the services of superstar centre Leon Draisaitl.

Sitting fifth overall in league scoring with 67 points (25 goals, 42 assists) in 48 games, Draisaitl has been on a temporary leave of absence to tend to an illness in the family back in Germany.

“When you miss somebody, somebody who is very important to your team, everyone takes notice and they step it up,” said Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch. “Whether it’s because they know on paper you’re not as good of a team without him, but also guys know they’ve got an extra opportunity to play some more and play in different situations that maybe wouldn’t have got a chance to.

“And I’ve seen it on the other side. I’ve seen players added to your lineup, especially after trade deadlines, you get this star and you’re thinking, ‘We’re going to be so much better.’ And then the team, everyone kind of relaxes and you’re not as good. So, I think just with Leon being away, everyone was like, ‘OK, we really need to step up. We need everyone to play well.’ And I think that’s what happened this week.”

Call it addition by subtraction?

The good news is, Draisaitl isn’t expected to miss more than a handful of games in total.

“We’re anticipating him coming back later this week,” Knoblauch said.

E-mail: gmoddejonge@postmedia.com

On X: @StarkRavinMod

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