Oilers' McDavid, Draisaitl sidelined for upcoming games

The Edmonton Oilers will be without star forwards Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl for at least the next three games due to injuries. Coach Kris Knoblauch confirmed that McDavid is dealing with a lower-body injury sustained during a recent game against the Winnipeg Jets, while Draisaitl has an undisclosed injury. Both players will miss the upcoming matches against the Dallas Stars, Seattle Kraken, and Calgary Flames, with the earliest potential return date for either player being April 1 against the Vegas Golden Knights. Draisaitl leads the NHL in goals with 49 and has 101 points, while McDavid ranks fourth in scoring with 98 points. Despite their absence, neither player is expected to miss the Stanley Cup Playoffs next month, as the team currently sits third in the Pacific Division playoff race. The Oilers are preparing for these games without their two leading scorers, which could pose a significant challenge as they aim to secure playoff positioning.