The Edmonton Oilers are one of two teams left to play postseason hockey this year, with last year's runner-ups preparing for their first-round playoff series opener against the Anaheim Ducks on Monday.
The biggest question leading into the matchup is the availability of Leon Draisaitl.
The forward has not played since March 15 after suffering a lower-body injury against the Nashville Predators. He finished the regular season with 97 points in 65 games and plays a key role in the Oilers offense.
Draisaitl returned to full participation in practice last week, skating on a line and working on the top power-play unit.
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After Sunday’s session, Draisaitl shared where things stand.
“I feel good, we’ll see how it feels tomorrow and then we’ll make a call from there,” Draisaitl said. “It’s been good. Our staff, mainly (strength and conditioning coach Chad Drummond and assistant athletic therapist Chris Davie), they’ve done an amazing job being patient with me and looking at everything that there is to look at.”
Draisaitl acknowledged the difficulty of being sidelined during the final stretch of the season.
“It’s a lot of lonely times when you’re hurt. Guys are on the road, and you’re kind of grinding by yourself,” Draisaitl said. “I’m happy where it’s at right now. We’ll see how it evolves and see how I feel (Monday).”
However, Draisaitl warned that even if his return might come sooner than expected, it could take some time for him to reach his peak.
“I know it’s going to take me a couple games to really be myself, and that’s OK, but it’s just the best time of year,” Draisaitl said. “There’s nothing like (playoff hockey) — the atmosphere, the intensity of it, the meaning of it all.”
The Oilers host the Ducks at 10 p.m. ET.
