Oilers’ Draisaitl doubtful to return vs. Sharks

The ailing Edmonton Oilers were dealt another big injury blow on Thursday.

Already playing without captain Connor McDavid and starting goaltender Stuart Skinner, Hart Trophy candidate Leon Draisaitl was forced to leave Thursday’s game against the San Jose Sharks and has been ruled doubtful to return.

It’s unclear when exactly Draisaitl suffered the injury, but he appeared shaken up after stepping on the puck late in the second period and falling awkwardly to the ice.

He stayed in the game after the fall but then exited after a board battle with Sharks defenceman Collin Graf on the power play. Draisaitl reached for the puck and then, feeling that something was off, headed straight to the team’s locker room.

Thursday was just Draisaitl’s third game back after missing four games with an undisclosed injury.

Draisaitl leads the league with 52 goals and is third in points (105).

The Oilers entered Thursday night’s game third in the Pacific Division with 91 points.