Leon Draisaitl sustained a lower-body injury in the Oilers’ 3-1 win over the Predators on Sunday. Cameron Bartlett / Getty Images
March 17, 2026Updated 3:22 pm EDT
Edmonton Oilers center Leon Draisaitl is expected to miss the rest of the regular season after sustaining an undisclosed lower-body injury over the weekend, the Oilers announced Tuesday.
Draisaitl left during the first period of Sunday’s 3-1 victory over the Nashville Predators after taking a hit from Ozzy Wiesblatt. He briefly returned to the Oilers bench before the end of the period and tested things out during a stoppage in play, but chose not to continue.
Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch told reporters afterward he didn’t think Draisaitl was dealing with anything serious.
The revelation that Draisaitl will instead be sidelined for the next month comes with Edmonton still battling to lock down a playoff spot. The two-time defending Stanley Cup finalists enter play Tuesday third in the Pacific Division with 75 points, giving them a four-point cushion over the Los Angeles Kings.
Draisaitl is a huge driver of the Oilers’ success and was fourth in league scoring with 35 goals and 97 points in 65 games at the time of his injury. He’ll fall just short of a fifth straight 100-point season.
Mar 17, 2026
Connections: Sports Edition
Spot the pattern. Connect the terms
Find the hidden link between sports terms
Play today’s puzzle