Oilers’ McDavid, Draisaitl played through injuries in Stanley Cup Playoffs

The Stanley Cup Final has come and gone. The Florida Panthers knocked off the Edmonton Oilers in Game 7 to win their first Cup in franchise history.

In the days following Game 7, news has been trickling in about injuries these players played through in the playoffs. In his postgame press conference, Panthers coach Paul Maurice confirmed that both Sam Bennett and Matthew Tkachuk played through injuries in the Final.

It took a bit longer, but on Wednesday, Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch discussed his list as well.

Knoblauch did not reveal much, but did confirm that his two leading scorers, Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, both played through significant injuries on their run to the Final.

According to Knoblauch, McDavid was dealing with an undisclosed injury, while Draisaitl played through both a rib and hand injury. Knoblauch also confirmed that forward Evander Kane was still dealing with effects from his previously disclosed sports hernia and did not play after Game 2 of the Final.

Kris Knoblauch provides an update on the injuries the Oilers were dealing with throughout the playoffs. pic.twitter.com/b9jOFdsHD8

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“With Connor’s, I am not sure what the process is going to be and how bad it was,” Knoblauch said. ” I don’t have very much information to give you with Connor’s. Leon, battling things throughout the playoffs. Ribs, hands… Certain times it was worse than others. There were games where I wasn’t sure he was going to play. But he fought through it and played very well in those games.”

McDavid led all skaters with 42 points (eight goals, 34 assists) in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. He tallied 11 points (three goals, eight assists) in the Stanley Cup Final and won the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP but was held without a point in the final two games.

Draisaitl was incredibly productive in the first two rounds of the playoffs but slowed down in the Western Conference Final and Cup Final. Draisaitl finished the postseason with 31 points (10 goals, 21 assists) in 25 games, third behind only McDavid and Edmonton defenseman Evan Bouchard. He looked to be battling an ailment and struggled over the final two rounds, only recording seven points (two goals, five assists) in 13 games.