Skinner avoids an injury scare, but Edmonton Oilers players McDavid and Draisaitl are out for at least a week.

The Edmonton Oilers are facing turbulent times as they navigate the final stretch of the 2024-25 NHL season. On what could have been a night of cautious relief after goaltender Stuart Skinner avoided a serious injury, the team was instead left grappling with the unsettling news that superstars Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl will be sidelined for at least a week. As both cornerstone players recover from injuries, the Oilers now find themselves at a critical juncture, one that could shape the remainder of their season.

A Night of Mixed Emotions

In what was supposed to be a standard late-season battle against the Winnipeg Jets, the Oilers were dealt a double blow. Connor McDavid, the league’s perennial MVP candidate and the face of the franchise, exited in the second period after an awkward collision with Jets defenseman Josh Morrissey. Skating hard down the right wing, McDavid appeared to lose balance before crashing into the end boards, clutching his lower body as he struggled to get to his feet.

He did not return for the remainder of the contest, and the early diagnosis from head coach Kris Knoblauch after the game confirmed Oilers fans’ worst fears: McDavid would be out for at least a week pending further evaluation.

If that wasn’t enough, the Oilers also entered the Jets game without Leon Draisaitl, who had suffered an injury of his own in a gritty, physical clash against the Utah Hockey Club earlier in the week. The initial assumption was that Draisaitl’s absence would be precautionary, but Knoblauch later revealed that the injury was “worse than anticipated,” leaving the star forward ruled out for at least the next handful of games.

Skinner’s Narrow Escape

There was, however, a sliver of good news amidst the storm. Goaltender Stuart Skinner, who has been a key figure in net this season, had a tense moment in the third period when Jets forward Gabriel Vilardi inadvertently collided with him in the crease. The impact saw Skinner’s helmet dislodged, and medical personnel quickly intervened as the team and fans held their breath.

The Oilers’ staff followed concussion protocol by pulling Skinner for assessment, and backup goalie Calvin Pickard took over in the final minutes. Fortunately, Skinner passed all subsequent tests and, according to team medical staff, should be ready to start in the team’s next game against the Seattle Kraken.

“It was a scary moment, but I’m feeling fine,” Skinner said postgame. “I followed the protocol, everything checked out, and I’m ready to get back in there.”

While Skinner’s availability is crucial for the Oilers’ upcoming games, the team will have to recalibrate without the firepower of McDavid and Draisaitl leading the charge.

The Toll on the Oilers’ Playoff Push

At this point in the season, the stakes could not be higher. Edmonton is embroiled in a tight race in the Western Conference, sitting third in the Pacific Division, with just a handful of points separating them from both the divisional leaders and the wild card cutoff. With the playoffs looming just weeks away, losing two generational talents is nothing short of a major setback.

Connor McDavid, who has tallied 90 points (28 goals, 62 assists) through 63 games, is once again in the Hart Trophy conversation. His electrifying speed and playmaking ability have driven the Oilers’ offense for years. Leon Draisaitl, meanwhile, leads the league in goals with 49 and is second only to McDavid in total points on the team.

Without their top two centers, Edmonton will rely heavily on depth players such as Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Zach Hyman, and Evander Kane to step up. The team’s second and third lines will likely undergo significant reshuffling, while defensemen such as Evan Bouchard and Darnell Nurse may be leaned on more heavily to contribute offensively.

Locker Room Reaction

In the locker room, the mood was somber yet determined.

“It’s tough losing two guys like that,” said Nugent-Hopkins. “They’re the heart of this team, but we’ve got to rally. Everyone in here knows what’s at stake.”

Zach Hyman echoed the sentiment. “It’s part of the game, unfortunately. Injuries happen, but we’ve got a tight group and a lot of belief in this room. We’re going to stick together.”

Coach Knoblauch, who has been praised for his measured approach since taking over behind the bench earlier this season, emphasized resilience.

“This is a challenge, no doubt,” Knoblauch said. “But it’s also an opportunity. We have a deep team and we’re confident other guys will rise to the occasion. We’re going to adjust our game plan and take it one shift at a time.”

Tactical Adjustments

One of the pressing questions will be how Edmonton adapts on the ice. Without McDavid and Draisaitl, the Oilers lose not only their top scorers but also their primary power play catalysts. Edmonton’s power play, which has consistently ranked near the top of the league, is largely orchestrated through McDavid’s zone entries and Draisaitl’s one-timer from the left circle.

Knoblauch will likely move Nugent-Hopkins into McDavid’s role on the first power play unit while slotting in Kane or Hyman as net-front presences. Young forwards like Dylan Holloway and Warren Foegele may see increased ice time as well, particularly on the second power play unit and penalty kill.

Defensively, the Oilers will need to tighten up. Without McDavid’s speed to create transition opportunities and Draisaitl’s puck control, games may become more conservative. Expect a more defensive-minded approach as the Oilers look to keep games low-scoring and rely on Skinner’s goaltending to weather the storm.

Skinner’s Growing Responsibility

With the offense weakened, Skinner’s role between the pipes takes on even greater importance. The 25-year-old netminder has been solid this season, posting a .910 save percentage and a 2.69 goals-against average across 50 starts.

“We’re going to need Skinner to be our backbone,” said defenseman Darnell Nurse. “He’s been great for us all year, and now’s the time when we’re really going to lean on him.”

Skinner, who has shown poise in high-pressure situations, expressed confidence in his team’s ability to manage without McDavid and Draisaitl.

“It’s on all of us,” Skinner said. “I’ll do my part to keep pucks out, but we’re going to win as a group.”

Upcoming Schedule

The Oilers’ immediate schedule does them no favors. Their next five games include:

• March 26: vs. Dallas Stars

• March 27: @ Seattle Kraken

• March 29: vs. Calgary Flames

• April 1: @ Vegas Golden Knights

• April 3: @ San Jose Sharks

The matchups against Dallas and Vegas, both playoff-bound teams, will be particularly challenging without McDavid and Draisaitl. The Oilers will also face their Alberta rivals, the Flames, in a high-stakes Battle of Alberta that could carry significant playoff implications.

What’s Next for McDavid and Draisaitl?

Both players will undergo further evaluations throughout the week. While the team is hopeful they’ll be back in action before the end of the current road trip, the Oilers’ medical staff is expected to be cautious given the looming postseason.

For McDavid, any injury to his lower body raises alarm bells, given his history of knee issues. As for Draisaitl, while details about his injury remain limited, there is optimism that his timeline could be on the shorter side.

“We’re being careful,” Knoblauch reiterated. “It’s about making sure they’re fully ready before they come back.”

Final Thoughts

The Oilers now face a pivotal test of their depth, resolve, and playoff readiness. With McDavid and Draisaitl sidelined, Edmonton’s ability to remain competitive over the next stretch of games could have significant ramifications for their postseason seeding.

For fans, the hope is that this is merely a brief speed bump in an otherwise promising season. For the players, it’s a rallying cry.

“Every team goes through adversity,” said Hyman. “This is ours. We’re going to face it head-on.”