Oilers coach confirms exact injury to Leon Draisaitl and return timeline

Draisaitl got hurt after an few awkward falls against the San Jose Sharks. He had just come back from an injury three games before, so there's concern he may have aggravated the same problem.

According to Coach Kris Knoblauch, Draisaitl has sustained a lower body injury and will be held out for at least the next two games - but is expected to be back well before the end of the regular season.

Coach Knoblauch confirming a lower body injury for Leon Draisaitl makes sense based on his awkward and uncomfortable falls last game. It would also line up with a diagnosis from Sports Doctor Harjas Grewal that Draisaitl suffered a minor groin strain.

Draisaitl himself revealed to reporters that he hurt himself while taking a hit from Barclay Goodrow, and thankfully was not walking with a limp.

The Oilers are missing McDavid, Draisaitl, Mattias Ekholm, Stuart Skinner, and more - but there's a light at the end of the tunnel with the return of Trent Frederic and the knowledge that every player will be ready for playoffs.

This seems to be the best news possible for Draisaitl. He should be held out for only a few games to heal up the injury, and return to play relatively soon - and get fully healthy.

Unfortunately, even missing a few more games may be enough to shift the margins in the Hart Trophy race this season. Leon Draisaitl will still be in contention with Nathan MacKinnon for MVP, but missing a few games is a tough blow to the Oilers' chances.