Andrew Mangiapane gets another boost tonight when he will skate alongside Leon Draisaitl on the Edmonton Oilers second line.
Edmonton is a little light on forwards at the moment with Kasperi Kapanen and Adam Henrique injured, but Kris Knoblauch says there is more to Mangiapane’s promotion than just throwing anyone into the spot as a placeholder.
“Last game he started out on the fourth line and we changed things up, he moved to Leon’s line and they had some good shifts, spent a lot of time in the offensive zone,” said the Oilers coach.
“We feel that he’s playing with an edge. I know it’s been a very difficult season for him but he still has a great attitude and we feel he can help our team… score some goals when he gets the opportunity.”
With 12 points and a minus 18 rating, Mangiapane has been a bitter disappointment since General Manger Stan Bowman signed him to a two-year $7.2-million contract last summer. The Oilers would like to get him traded to free up cap space and Mangiapane is receptive to the idea, so this showcase could be best for all concerned.
But he needs to make the most of it and prove that, given the ice time and the linemates, he can still deliver.
“I’m just trying to go in there and play my game, compliment Leon and Podz (Vasily Podkolzin),” said Mangiapane, who has two goals in his last 11 games and was healthy-scratched six times in the last 13 games.
“You can’t put too much pressure on yourself. You just have to go out there and play with confidence, that’s a big part of my game, going out there and believing in yourself and showing everyone what you can do.
“Being tenacious, hard on the puck. That’s kind of my game, being in the corners and winning the little battles — that’s what I pride myself on and have to keep doing.”
Draisaitl appreciates support
Draisaitl’s had a couple of days to rest and recover after returning from Germany and stepping right into the lineup on Thursday against Pittsburgh. It’s been a long, difficult week for him as he deals with a family health matter, but he appreciates how the Oilers are helping him through it.
“It’s been great that way, the support was there,” he said. “Obviously I needed to be with my family. It puts things into perspective how little this in here (hockey) really matters when it comes to life.”
Edmonton Oilers Leon Draisaitl (29) waits for the puck to drop against the New York Islanders during first period NHL action on Thursday, January 15, 2026 in Edmonton. Greg Southam-Postmedia
Ovechkin always ‘a treat’
The NHL’s all-time leading goal scorer will be making one of his last visits to Edmonton tonight. Who knows how much longer the 40-year-old plans on playing, but he’s getting to the end of it.
So catch him while you can.
“For him to be able to score goals the way he has been throughout his career, it’s amazing,” said Knoblauch. “Whether this is his last time in Edmonton, I don’t know. But fans who come to the building tonight to watch him will get a nice treat because you don’t know how many (visits) are left.”
Alex Ovechkin #8 of the Washington Capitals looks on against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the second period at Capital One Arena on January 18, 2025 in Washington, DC.
Even, Draisaitl, one of the greatest scorers of today, stops and takes notice when Ovechkin is on the ice.
“It’s special. He’s a legend in our game.”
E-mail: rtychkowski@postmedia.com
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