Oilers’ Leon Draisaitl to return in Game 1 against Ducks
The Edmonton Oilers are getting a big boost to their lineup, as center Leon Draisaitl will be returning for Game 1 of their first round series against the Anaheim Ducks on Monday.
LEON = ACTIVATED‼️ #LetsGoOilers
Draisaitl had missed the final 14 games of the regular season due to a lower-body injury. While all signs pointed to him only missing the regular season and being back in time for the playoffs, his return to the lineup wasn’t confirmed until right before Game 1.
Draisaitl had spent the past week skating and practicing with the Oilers, but was only labelled a game-time decision prior to Game 1. However, he didn’t participate in Edmonton’s optional morning skate on Monday, which was a strong indicator that he would be returning to the lineup.
Based on the lines ran during Sunday’s practice, Draisaitl is set to skate on the second line, centering Vasily Podkolzin and Kasperi Kapanen. The trio outscored their competition 12-3 and sported a 51.64% 5v5 score-adjusted expected goal share in 141:13 of ice time this season, per Natural Stat Trick.
Draisaitl enters the playoffs coming off of another excellent regular season, one that saw him put up 35 goals and 62 assists for 97 points in 65 games. Despite the injuries, he still finished ninth in scoring, and was fourth in points per game.
Jason Dickinson was also a game-time decision going into Game 1 for the Oilers, but his status remains unknown for the time being. Dickinson had missed the final three games of the regular season with a leg injury.
Dickinson’s season wasn’t overly productive, as he only put up seven goals and 10 assists for 17 points in 64 games, including one goal and three assists for four points in 17 games with the Oilers. However, he made up for it with his defensive play with a -0.111 5v5 regularized adjust plus-minus expected goals against per 60 minutes, according to Evolving Hockey.
The Oilers will begin what they hope is the start of a third-consecutive trip to the Stanley Cup Final (and the one where they finally finish the job and win a Stanley Cup) when they host the Ducks for Game 1 of their first round series on Monday at 8 p.m. MT.