The Edmonton Oilers will be lining up against a division rival, the San Jose Sharks, without one of their best players on Tuesday night.<\/p>\n
After leaving Sunday\u2019s victory<\/a> against the Nashville Predators with an apparent injury, Leon Draisaitl has been officially ruled out for tonight\u2019s game. It\u2019s obviously a huge loss for an Oilers team trying to solidify their playoff position, especially in a game that could hold a lot of significance in playoff positioning.<\/p>\n The Sharks are outside of the playoff cut line, but still remain just five points back of the Oilers with multiple games in hand. Edmonton will need to find a way to battle on without the help of Draisaitl.<\/p>\n Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch confirmed Draisaitl\u2019s absence at this morning\u2019s skate.<\/p>\n \u201cLeon\u2019s not playing tonight, we\u2019ll have more information probably later tonight, if not, tomorrow on exactly how long he\u2019ll be,\u201d Knoblauch told reporters.<\/p>\n “Tonight is an important game.”<\/p>\n Coach Knoblauch speaks about the #Oilers<\/a> divisional matchup with the Sharks at @RogersPlace<\/a>. @Enterprise<\/a> | #LetsGoOilers<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/DtLsBVmoV9<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) March 17, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n Draisaitl has had a remarkably healthy season with the Oilers this season, only missing three games in January while attending to a personal matter. He has done a lot for the team, currently ranking second in goals (35), assists (62) and points (97), behind only Connor McDavid.<\/p>\n This will require some lineup juggling for Knoblauch, who did say he will keep Ryan Nugent-Hopkins on the wing and on a line with Dickinson. That could mean the lineup could look like this, based on Monday\u2019s practice<\/a>:<\/p>\n Matt Savoie \u2013 Connor McDavid \u2013 Zach Hyman It remains to be seen how the defensive group shakes out, but it\u2019s likely to remain untouched with Ty Emberson not ready to return to the lineup. Knoblauch confirmed that Connor Ingram will get his second straight start<\/a> in the Oilers crease.<\/p>\n Puck drop at Rogers Place is set for 7 p.m. MST.<\/p>\n
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins \u2013\u00a0 Jason Dickinson \u2013 Jack Roslovic
Vasily Podkolzin \u2013 Josh Samanski \u2013 Kasperi Kapanen
Max Jones \u2013 Adam Henrique \u2013 Trent Frederic<\/p>\n