Leon Draisaitl was back to full speed on Wednesday as Kris Knoblauch tried out a new strategy just one game before the playoffs began.
That’s the big news in Edmonton right now. Not what place they are in. Not who they will face. It’s all about Draisaitl looking good and practicing with the team.
Knoblauch was clear earlier this week. They expect him to return for the first round, and practice on Wednesday only supported that idea.
During practice, Draisaitl played at center with Mattias Janmark and Connor Brown. They aren’t the best three players, but that wasn’t the main goal.
Leon Draisaitl seems ready as the Oilers look to boost their playoff chances.
Before his injury, Draisaitl had scored 97 points in 65 games. That’s amazing, and it changes how other teams prepare for them.
If he comes back as center, Edmonton will have two dangerous lines instead of relying only on McDavid.
It was about timing, fitness, and making contact. He seemed relaxed doing all three.
This also gave Knoblauch some options. He kept Connor McDavid with Matt Savoie and Zach Hyman, which splits their usual top forwards.
That’s important as they head into a close race in the Western Conference. The Oilers have 91 points with a record of 40-30-11, and they still don’t know who they will play in the first round.
Vegas is close behind them. So are some wild card teams. The outcome of the last game could change everything.
This leads us back to Knoblauch’s choice for Thursday’s game against Vancouver. Should he play Draisaitl, or wait another game?
There are risks either way. He could be rusty or could get injured again. But how he practiced on Wednesday showed he is ready to play important minutes.
The lineup suggests he will gradually get back into it, not play a full game right away. Starting him lower in the lineup allows the coaches to make changes if needed.
It also allows Ryan Nugent-Hopkins to stay in a steady position after scoring 55 points in 71 matches. There’s no need to change everything right away.
The Oilers don’t require Draisaitl to be fully healthy on the first day. They want him to be ready to influence a series by Game 3 or 4.
Wednesday seemed like progress toward that goal. It’s not a sure thing, but it’s getting there.
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