Edmonton Oilers star Draisaitl misses practice after Game 1

By The Canadian Press on May 9, 2024.

Edmonton Oilers' Leon Draisaitl (29) skates with the puck while being watched by Vancouver Canucks' Conor Garland (8) during the third period in Game 1 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup second-round playoff series, in Vancouver, on Wednesday, May 8, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns

VANCOUVER – Edmonton Oilers star Leon Draisaitl wasn’t on the ice as the team practised Thursday.

His absence comes after the 28-year-old forward appeared to be labouring late in Edmonton’s loss to the Vancouver Canucks in Game 1 of their second-round playoff series Wednesday.

Draisaitl had two assists in the game but was limited to 16:43 seconds of ice time, well below the 20:41 he averaged per game in the regular season.

Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch said after the game that Draisaitl was dealing with “cramping and equipment issues” that kept him off the ice.

Draisaitl has points in each of Edmonton’s six playoff games this year, with five goals and seven assists across the stretch.

Oilers forward Adam Henrique practised with the team Thursday after missing Game 1 with an ankle injury.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 9, 2024.