Oilers to Get Key Injury Updates Ahead of Game 1 vs. Ducks

The Edmonton Oilers will have a full practice on Sunday, and out of that skate should come some injury update news. Specifically, fans are eager to know if either Leon Draisaitl or Jason Dickinson will be healthy enough to play in Game 1 versus the Anaheim Ducks on Monday.

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Both players should be on the ice on Sunday. Draisaitl has been skating for a couple of weeks, whereas Dickinson only took the ice for the first time on Friday, but on his own. Draisaitl has been out with a lower-body injury, and Dickinson blocked a shot. Both are itching to get back into the lineup, but neither is confirmed.

The hope is that confirmation is coming today.

Head coach Kris Knoblauch received an update on Dickinson’s status, saying, “It’s doctors allowing him to play, and he’s itching to get out there and he wants to be part of this.” The Oilers would welcome him back, as he was acquired at the trade deadline to fill a two-way third-line centre role. However, at Friday’s practice, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins was skating in that spot.

As far as Draisaitl goes, Knoblauch said on Friday, “Same plan as before, just going day by day.” He added, “I anticipate him joining us sometime in the first round, whether it’s Game 1, Game 4 or Game 5, whatever it is, but right now, it’s just day by day.” But if you saw Draisaitl skating, you’d quickly realize that he looks ready.

“We’re getting him game-ready as much as possible, and to do that, we’re putting him with players he would most likely play with,” said the coach. “It’s about getting him playing with guys he’s usually with. He spent a lot of time with Pods (Vasily Podkolzon) and Kaps (Kasperi Kapanen) this year, and certainly last year, too. At some point during the playoffs, that will most likely be a line. That’s my reasoning for putting them together.”

Will either be ready for Monday’s opener? The Oilers have been playing well without both, but they are a much-improved team with them in the lineup.

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