Edmonton Oilers GM Ken Holland confirmed that forward Leon Draisaitl played with a high-ankle sprain during the playoffs that he suffered in the first round.
File it under the "NO WAY, SHOCKING!" department.
Edmonton Oilers GM Ken Holland confirmed that forward Leon Draisaitl played with a high-ankle sprain during the playoffs, with the Oilers losing in four games to the Colorado Avalanche earlier this week.
Holland said Draisaitl had been playing with the injury since Game 6 of the opening round against the Los Angeles Kings.
Draisatil's pain was obvious, with the Oilers superstar often wincing in pain and even needing to limp off the ice on a handful of occasions. Still, Draisaitl brought his usual magic to the Oilers lineup.
The German forward had 32 points in 16 games and would have been a Conn Smythe candidate had the Oilers advanced to the Stanley Cup final. Draisaitl tied a career-high of 110 points this year and hit 55 goals for the first time during the regular season.
Holland said that Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Jesse Puljujarvi had shoulder injuries, and that Darnell Nurse won't need surgery for a hip injury he played with throughout the post-season.