“We’re still in a really tough spot. We’ve got to find a way to win in a tough building. All we did is survive one more day. The pressure is still on us, but it’s a big game for them too,” McDavid admitted, via NHL.com. “I’m sure they’ll be feeling that too. I’m sure they’re not going to want to come back to Edmonton. Pressure on them. We’ve got to find a way to survive another day.”

The Oilers will only face elimination games going forward in the first round of the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs. Edmonton must take it one game at a time, though. If McDavid and company get too far ahead of themselves, they might run into even more trouble.

Ducks sense the pressure as Oilers put up a fight

Though the Oilers’ backs are against the wall, the Ducks aren’t in for a walk in the park, either. If Anaheim can’t close out the series in Game 6, it will be in for a cortisol-spiking Game 7 back in the Gateway to the North.

Though the Ducks’ squad features several NHL veterans, they may not be able to withstand a win-or-go-home matchup against the likes of Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, Evan Bouchard, and company. Something’s clicked for Edmonton. Maybe, playing with no margin for error was all the Oilers needed to find their best hockey.

McDavid is back, and so are the Oilers

The McDavid-Draisaitl duo came to life in Game 5, as they combined for two goals in the 4-1 triumph. McDavid has been battling through a lower-body setback since Game 2. However, during the Oilers’ third home game of the series, he finally looked like his best self again. As a result, McDavid ended the night with two assists and—most importantly—a crucial win to keep his team’s NHL season alive.

Perhaps the series’ momentum has shifted. Anaheim may have its last chance to send Edmonton home in Orange County. Yet if the series returns to Alberta, it might as well be all she wrote for the Ducks. McDavid said it best: the pressure is still on the Oilers to survive one more day in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, but the Ducks are surely growing anxious as they realize Edmonton refuses to go out.

If Edmonton makes it out of California in one piece, it will become a whole new series. Against all odds, the Oilers may force a Game 7, and anything can happen in a one-game showdown.

McDavid has been battling through a lower-body injury so far in the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs. While the Oilers’ captain has appeared in all four games so far in the first round, he could miss the upcoming showdown in which his team will face elimination.

In addition to McDavid, Jason Dickinson—who missed Games 2 and 3 of the series against the Ducks—is considered day-to-day and will be a game-time decision as well. If neither is able to dress for Game 5 at Rogers Place, Edmonton will be in for a very steep climb.

What happened to McDavid?

McDavid got tangled up with teammate Mattias Ekholm during Game 2 of the opening-round series against Anaheim. Immediately after the freak accident, McDavid felt pain in his right ankle and struggled to put any weight on that leg. After trying to shake the pain off, he left the game momentarily to be checked by the Oilers’ medical staff.

He returned to the game and has appeared in both Games 3 and 4. However, as he missed the team’s practice before Game 5 and Knoblauch failed to provide a clear update on him, signs indicate McDavid could miss the biggest game of the season for the Oilers—and possibly the last.

McDavid’s playoff stats

McDavid has never missed a postseason game for Edmonton in his NHL career. So far, McDavid has played 100 Stanley Cup playoff games, recording 154 points (45 goals and 109 assists). Through the opening four games of the first-round matchup against Anaheim, the best player in Edmonton—and the league—has put up four points (one goal and three assists).

McDavid has been far from his best hockey—likely due to the injury he’s playing through—but the Oilers still need him on the ice if they want any chance of overcoming a 3-1 series deficit.

Next man up for the Oilers

The Oilers’ hopes will be in the hands of Leon Draisaitl, who was rushed back after missing 14 games in the regular season ahead of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The German star leads the team with seven points (one goal and six assists).

Kasperi Kapanen is the leading goal scorer with four tallies. If McDavid and Dickinson aren’t healthy enough to go, Knoblauch and company will need the unsung hero to continue his red-hot streak in order to stay alive. Perhaps it’s too late for Edmonton to salvage its season—and its Stanley Cup dream.

The Oilers have yet to rule Draisaitl’s in or out for Game 1 against the Ducks at Rogers Place. In fact, Sportsnet reports that Draisaitl will be a game-time decision. The German star missed the final 14 games of the regular season after being placed on Injured Reserve (IR). However, Draisaitl has been practicing with his teammates since April 13.

While his status remains officially uncertain, the fact that he practiced with no limitations on the second line during Edmonton’s Sunday session suggests he is trending toward a return as the Oilers kick off their road to redemption in the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

“Back on Oilers’ power play and on a regular line, it certainly appears Leon Draisaitl is set for Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs,” Sportsnet’s Gene Principe reported on his X account.

Oilers need Draisaitl

Coming off consecutive Stanley Cup Final losses, Connor McDavid and company are desperate to add a sixth championship to the Oilers’ legacy. While the path ahead will not be easy, having a healthy Leon Draisaitl back could go a long way. Despite his 17-game absence, Draisaitl finished the campaign with 16 power-play goals (PPG), leading the team in that category.

Draisaitl’s potential return strikes fear into the Ducks—and the rest of the league; when he and McDavid are firing on all cylinders, opponents have few answers, especially when Edmonton is on the man-advantage.

Oilers’ power play meets Ducks’ penalty kill

Edmonton finished the 2025–26 regular season with the NHL’s top-ranked power play, operating at a 30.6 PP%. Special teams are always crucial in the postseason, and this dominance has fueled the Oilers’ deep runs in recent years.

Conversely, the Ducks have struggled to kill off penalties, recording the sixth-worst penalty kill in the league at 76.4%. If Draisaitl remains active for the entire series, Anaheim must stay disciplined, or the matchup could quickly get out of hand.

This young Orange County squad lacks playoff experience and may find itself wet behind the ears against a redemption-seeking Edmonton group. Ultimately, McDavid and Draisaitl are determined to bring Lord Stanley back to Alberta and restore Edmonton’s status as the City of Champions.

With the standings in a tightly packed stretch run and Edmonton battling for seeding stability, every result carries immediate consequences. A win for the them would help solidify their place in the playoff bracket.

They are in a position where just one point in this matchup would secure the No. 2 spot in the Pacific Division, while a regulation loss could see them slip to No. 3 or even into a wild-card position if both the Kings and Ducks win their games.

What happens if Oilers beat Canucks today?

If the Edmonton Oilers beat the Vancouver Canucks, they earn 2 standings points and significantly improve their chances of finishing higher in the Pacific Division and securing a better playoff seed.

In the NHL standings system, a regulation, overtime, or shootout win always awards 2 points, while the losing team gets 0 in regulation or 1 point if the game goes beyond regulation.

That makes this matchup crucial for their final positioning in a tightly packed Western Conference race. With a stronger finish, they would be positioned to face the Anaheim Ducks in the first round.

It also strengthens tiebreaker control. Edmonton currently benefits from regulation wins (ROW), a key NHL tiebreak rule used when teams finish level on points, which can decide final playoff seeding.

What happens if Oilers and Canucks tie today?

If the game is tied after regulation and goes to overtime or shootout, both teams are guaranteed at least 1 point, while the winner takes 2 points and the loser earns 1 point. This is known as the “loser point” system in the NHL; once a game reaches overtime, the result splits into either:

• Winner: 2 points
• Loser (OT/SO): 1 point
• Regulation loss: 0 points

For Kris Knoblauch‘s team, this scenario still keeps them alive in the standings race, but it reduces their ability to climb the Pacific Division compared to a full regulation win.

What happens if Oilers lose to Canucks today?

If the Oilers lose in regulation, they earn 0 points, while an overtime or shootout loss still gives them 1 point, and both scenarios could impact their standings and lead to a tougher first-round playoff matchup depending on final results.

A regulation loss is the worst-case scenario in NHL scoring, because it allows rivals to gain ground while Edmonton gains nothing in the standings. Even though they have already clinched a playoff spot, seeding is still extremely volatile.

“I’m fortunate to have played with some really great players… very grateful,” McDavid said after the game according to NHL.com, reflecting on the achievement.

McDavid reached 1,200 points in 784 games, becoming the third-fastest player in NHL history behind Wayne Gretzky and Mario Lemieux. With Leon Draisaitl out of the lineup, his performance carried extra weight as the Oilers continue to fight for position in the Pacific Division.

Historic milestone comes at key moment

This was not just a milestone; it came in an important stretch of the season. McDavid also recorded his fifth career 40-goal season, showing his consistent scoring ability year after year.

Coach Kris Knoblauch pointed to what makes him effective: “He’s so difficult to check… he’s determined to get to the net.” That effort was clear on his go-ahead goal, where he pushed through defenders to give Edmonton the lead.

Oilers get needed support in playoff push

The Oilers also got help from the rest of the lineup. Jack Roslovic scored twice, and Evan Bouchard added three assists as the team won three of its last five games.

“We need to be playing like that… it’s a playoff-hockey type game,” Knoblauch said. With the standings tight and key players injured, Edmonton will need this type of performance to stay in the playoff race.

“I coach to win our next game and look at how we can make our team better each day,” Knoblauch stated during his media availability on Monday, via @EdmontonOilers on X. “When things are going well, there’s very little criticism. When there’s losing, everyone needs to look in the mirror.”

Knoblauch’s statement came after a question about McDavid’s public call-out. While Knoblauch and McDavid are far from engaging in an all-out media war, it’s clear there’s tension in the Oilers’ locker room.

McDavid sets record straight on his comment

According to McDavid, his comments on the Oilers‘ coaching and team functioning were blown out of proportion. Perhaps it was the heat of the moment speaking and the upset tone in his voice that made his words come out much harsher than he intended them. Now, he’s made his argument.

“We’re not taking shots. It’s just everybody can be better myself included. Not sure how it was taken that way. It wasn’t supposed to be that way,” McDavid said about his previous comments, via TSN’s Ryan Rishaug. “I understand how people could look at it that way, but it’s not what I was intending to do at all.”

Signs of frustration in McDavid, Oilers

Still, it’s clear something is bothering McDavid. Whether it is the current losing streak, the fact that the Oilers can’t run away with a Pacific Division that is filled with toothless-looking teams, the weight of last season’s missteps, or a combination of it all, the captain is upset. His comments after the Lightning’s visit to Rogers Place were only a sign that he has some built-up frustration with the organization he is committed to through the 2027–28 NHL season.

For the fans, this may be seen as both a blessing and a burden. Trying times like the ones Edmonton is currently in are what make or break teams and seasons. If the Oilers can push through, then the sky may be the limit. If they don’t, though, then they were never really going to be a threat come the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

“Hips and groin stuff. All good,” McDavid commented shortly after leaving practice with trainers, via Gene Principe from Sportsnet.

McDavid has yet to miss a game in the 2025-26 NHL campaign. For the Oilers, keeping him healthy is paramount as they enter the home stretch of the regular season and engage in crucial matchups with playoff implications.

Oilers can’t afford to lose McDavid

Needless to say, having McDavid miss time could well be all she wrote for Edmonton. Mired in a losing streak, McDavid recently questioned the Oilers and head coach Kris Knoblauch, hinting there’s tension and animosity brewing in Alberta.

Moreover, the Oilers will be without Leon Draisaitl for the remainder of the regular season. The German star has been placed on long-term injured reserve (LTIR) and is projected to return from his lower-body injury for the Stanley Cup Playoffs—that is, of course, if Edmonton makes the cut.

McDavid and Oilers’ playoff chances

Luckily, the fact that the Oilers are engaged in a “pillow fight”—as McDavid described it—with the rest of the Pacific Division helps their chances. Still, Draisaitl’s absence has been dearly felt.

While Draisaitl returned home to Germany to be treated by a specialist, Edmonton is 1–2–0 and has been outscored 12–7. Something must change. And in order for things to change, McDavid must be on the ice. If not, then the Oilers will lose their main weapon in the ongoing postseason fight—even if it’s only a pillow.

“[The Lightning] got a great system. They’re perfectly coached and extremely well organized,” McDavid said before hinting Knoblauch must figure out a way for the Oilers to replicate the Bolts’ success, via TSN’s Ryan Rishaug.

“That’s a coaching question. You can ask [Knoblauch] that question. We’re somewhat rehearsed and organized, but not to their level.”

McDavid’s statement was a clear warning to the Oilers. As much success as Edmonton has had in past NHL seasons, its struggles against the top powerhouses has been a recurrent issue. Regular season or postseason, McDavid is sick and tired of coming up short when it truly matters.

What McDavid’s message means for Oilers

The consecutive multi-goal defeats against the Florida Panthers (4-0) and Tampa Bay Lightning (5-2) at Rogers Place raised alarms that are too loud and invasive for the Oilers to look the other way. McDavid certainly didn’t beat around the bush as he addressed the elephant in the room, hoping to spark immediate change within the locker room.

Moreover, McDavid’s comments signal danger for Edmonton. To say there is trouble in paradise would be generous, considering the past defeats in the Stanley Cup Final and the drama around McDavid in the past offseason are far from what any NHL organization would call paradisiacal.

Still, if there was ever any calm in The Gateway to the North, it’s now veering in a different direction. Adverse conditions may be brewing. Although McDavid wishes the Oilers feed off Leon Draisaitl’s injury, it’s clear it won’t be a perfect storm for the Oilers.

What’s left for the Oilers?

If the Oilers can make it out of it in one piece, then who knows where the limit is for this team? If not, though, it might be all she wrote for the championship window of an aging squad that is showing cracks in its foundation.

McDavid raising questions about his head coach is far from an encouraging sign as the Oilers gear up for the home stretch of the regular season. Eleven games separate Edmonton from the Stanley Cup Playoffs—where anything can happen—and an unexpected trainwreck that would send the Oilers into an abyss of uncertainty.

“Obviously, disappointing. Losing a guy like [Leon Draisaitl] sucks, it makes it tough. But we saw different guys step up, that’s what it’s about. We’re in the thick of a playoff race, it’s going to take everyone to get us in,” McDavid commented on Draisaitl’s injury, via @EdmontonOilers on X. “It takes all of us to be a bit more dangerous, shoot the puck a little bit more. Find different ways to score more goals.”

Draisaitl is out with a lower-body injury sustained on March 15, when Edmonton hosted Nashville at Rogers Place. Initially thought to be a minor issue, the Oilers’ latest injury update on Draisaitl proved Kris Knoblauch wrong, as the head coach suggested a short-term absence for McDavid’s sidekick.

How many games will Draisaitl miss?

Leon Draisaitl is trending to miss 14 games to close out the NHL regular season. Whether he will be back for Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs’ first round—if the Edmonton Oilers even make the postseason without him—is a different story.

Regardless, anything can happen. Because he’s been placed on LTIR, Draisaitl must miss at least 10 games and 24 days of the 2025–26 NHL regular season. Thus, he could make his return on April 8, when the Oilers take on the San Jose Sharks on the road.

If Connor McDavid and the rest of the Oilers can keep the team afloat during Draisaitl’s absence, then Edmonton may have clinched a playoff spot by then, allowing Draisaitl to be rested until the postseason. If not, however, he may be rushed back onto the ice in a desperate attempt to salvage the season in the Gateway to the North.

“You have to see how his recovery goes, but if everything goes as scheduled, and we’ll have a better feel for that as we get closer to the end, the expectation is it’ll just be until the end of the regular season,” Bowman said, according to NHL insider Elliotte Friedman, clarifying that surgery will not be required.

The injury occurred following a hit that sent Draisaitl into the boards, and although early fears pointed toward a worst-case scenario, the organization now believes the timeline may not extend deep into the postseason. That shift could prove critical as the Oilers prepare for a playoff push.

Oilers remain hopeful for regular-season return

Despite concerns that Draisaitl could miss the remainder of the regular season, Bowman did not rule out a late return if recovery progresses well. The team is expected to monitor his condition closely, with a clearer timeline likely to emerge as the regular season nears its conclusion.

Edmonton confident in star’s playoff impact

Bowman emphasized that Draisaitl’s absence might ultimately benefit the team heading into the postseason. “He’ll be rested, and he’ll be fresh for the playoffs… he’s always unbelievable in the playoffs,” he said, describing the situation as a possible “blessing in disguise.”

As one half of Edmonton’s elite duo alongside Connor McDavid, Draisaitl remains a cornerstone of the franchise. With 97 points, he sits among the league’s top scorers, reinforcing just how significant his presence will be once he returns to the lineup.

In the blink of an eye, the tide has changed for the Oilers. In the NHL, much can happen in such a short time, and Edmonton is the latest franchise to learn that lesson. On Monday, Knoblauch provided an encouraging injury update on Draisaitl. “It shouldn’t be a really long injury,” Knoblauch said. Less than 24 hours later, he stands corrected.

Regardless, Knoblauch can’t dwell on the fact that he mistakenly assumed Draisaitl’s absence would be brief. More importantly, the head coach in the “Gateway to the North” must find a way to keep the Oilers afloat. Edmonton is hanging on to a playoff spot by the skin of its teeth. Without its second-best player—and Connor McDavid’s sidekick—the climb becomes much steeper.

How many games will Draisaitl miss?

Draisaitl will be sidelined for the last 14 games of the 2025-26 NHL regular season. Moreover, 8 of those 14 outings will come against Pacific Division teams. That means over half of the remaining games will be divisional showdowns for the Edmonton Oilers. Having a star player miss time is never ideal, but when it happens in the home stretch of the campaign, the impact is even greater.

Oilers could be in trouble without Draisaitl

If there’s a silver lining for Knoblauch and the Oilers, it may lie in the fact that they will face the seventh-easiest remaining schedule in terms of strength of schedule, per Tankathon.

On the other hand, concerns may grow, as all six clubs with an easier schedule are in the race for the Stanley Cup Playoffs in the West. Moreover, four of them are divisional rivals of Edmonton: the Los Angeles Kings (easiest remaining schedule), Anaheim Ducks (second-easiest), San Jose Sharks (fourth), and Vegas Golden Knights (sixth).