Leon Draisaitl to Return for Oilers in Game 1 vs. Ducks

Edmonton Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl has been cleared to play in Game 1 of the Western Conference first-round series against the Anaheim Ducks, ending speculation about his availability after an injury scare during the regular season’s final stretch.

The confirmation came from multiple NHL-affiliated sources on April 20, 2026, including Sportsnet and Global News, which reported that Draisaitl participated fully in the Oilers’ morning skate and was listed as a game-time decision that ultimately resolved in his favor. Head Coach Kris Knoblauch confirmed the forward’s inclusion in the lineup just prior to puck drop, noting that Draisaitl had progressed through all required return-to-play protocols following an upper-body injury sustained in late March.

Draisaitl’s return provides a significant boost to Edmonton’s offense as they open the postseason against a Ducks team that finished third in the Pacific Division. The Austrian captain, who led the NHL in assists during the 2025-26 regular season with 78, had missed the final four games of the year while undergoing evaluation and treatment. His absence raised concerns about the Oilers’ depth heading into the playoffs, particularly given their reliance on elite offensive production from their top line.

Teammate Connor McDavid, who has played alongside Draisaitl for nearly a decade, praised his partner’s resilience during a pre-game press availability. “He’s been working his way back for weeks,” McDavid said. “To see him out there today, moving well and competing hard, it means a lot—not just for our line, but for the whole room. He’s a competitor and we needed him.”

TSN reporter Darren Rishaug, who attended the Oilers’ practice session on April 19, noted that Draisaitl “looked like a player who knows he’s close” during drills, particularly in one-on-one battles and puck protection exercises. Rishaug observed that the forward exhibited no hesitation in engaging physically, a key indicator of his readiness after an injury that initially raised questions about his ability to withstand playoff intensity.

The Oilers enter the series as slight favorites, having finished second in the Pacific Division with 112 points, just four behind the Vegas Golden Knights. Anaheim, meanwhile, qualified for the playoffs as the third seed in the division with 98 points, marking their first postseason appearance since 2018. The Ducks have relied on strong goaltending from Lukas Dostal and a balanced offensive attack led by Ross Johnston and Trevor Zegras, but they will face a significant challenge in containing Edmonton’s top two lines, now fully intact.

Game 1 is scheduled to begin at 8:00 p.m. MT at Rogers Place in Edmonton. The winner of the series will advance to face either the Los Angeles Kings or the Calgary Flames in the second round, depending on the outcome of the other Pacific Division matchup. With Draisaitl now confirmed in the lineup, the Oilers aim to establish early momentum and avoid a slow start that could jeopardize their home-ice advantage in a best-of-seven series.