The Edmonton Oilers will face the San Jose Sharks without star forward Leon Draisaitl, who is expected to miss the remainder of the regular season due to a lower-body injury.
Draisaitl was injured in a win over the Nashville Predators on Sunday and did not return after the first period.
The 30-year-old has been a key contributor for Edmonton, scoring 97 points in 65 games this season. Teammates say replacing his production will take a collective effort.
“Obviously he’s a top-four scorer, one of the most elite players in the League, so it’s not like one guy can just step into his shoes,” Ryan Nugent-Hopkins told NHL .
“We talked about it this morning; it’s a collective thing within our group that everyone has to catch up.”
Captain Connor McDavid echoed that sentiment, saying, “You’re not filling the void,” he said. “We have a lot of guys here who can lead.”
The Oilers remain in the playoff race with fourteen games remaining in the regular season and are currently third in the Pacific Division.
Coach Kris Knoblauch said adjustments will be needed, especially on the power play: “We’re going to play with it. Right now it’s just trial and error.”
