Buffalo Sabres forward Josh Norris is reportedly skating on his own, leading to optimism about his return before the end of the season. Meanwhile, teammate Tyson Kozak has been sidelined due to a hip strain, projected as week-to-week. In Carolina, Andrei Svechnikov is being held out as a precaution, while Jamie Benn of the Dallas Stars participated in practice but remains doubtful for today's matchup against Pittsburgh. Edmonton's Leon Draisaitl is expected to miss some time but could be back for the playoffs, joining Connor McDavid, who has missed six games due to a lower-body injury. The New Jersey Devils' Cody Glass has been playing through a nagging injury but will now take time off to recover.

Leon Draisaitl of the Edmonton Oilers is sidelined with a lower-body injury but is expected to return well before the playoffs commence. Leading the NHL with 52 goals this season, Draisaitl's absence will be felt as the Oilers prepare to face the Los Angeles Kings. Draisaitl previously missed time due to an undisclosed injury, but this current ailment is unrelated. The team remains optimistic, with head coach Kris Knoblauch highlighting Draisaitl's history of playing through pain.

Meanwhile, Connor McDavid is also out due to a lower-body injury sustained in a recent game. Despite these setbacks, the Oilers have shown resilience, winning three consecutive games and maintaining a solid record over the last ten matches. The upcoming playoff matchup against the Kings is anticipated, with Edmonton looking to secure home-ice advantage in the first round.

Edmonton Oilers star Leon Draisaitl is expected to be sidelined for a short period due to a lower-body injury sustained against the San Jose Sharks. Coach Kris Knoblauch reported that Draisaitl, who leads the NHL with 52 goals, will not play against the Los Angeles Kings, but is anticipated to return before the playoffs begin on April 19. Draisaitl's absence is concerning, especially as the Oilers aim to secure home-ice advantage in their playoff chase against the Kings, whom they have faced in the first round for three consecutive years.

Despite missing both Draisaitl and Connor McDavid, who is also out with an injury, the Oilers have managed to maintain a strong performance, winning three straight games and posting a 7-2-1 record in their last ten. Forward Trent Frederic, recently acquired in a trade, may make his debut on the ice for the Oilers as they continue their pursuit of playoff positioning.

Leon Draisaitl left the game against the San Jose Sharks in the second period due to an undisclosed injury, prompting concern among fans and analysts alike. His absence was felt as Jeff Skinner scored the critical tiebreaking goal shortly after, securing a 3-2 victory for the Edmonton Oilers. Draisaitl, the NHL's leading goal scorer with 52 goals, had previously assisted in the game, underlining his importance to the team. Coach Kris Knoblauch acknowledged the impact of injuries, particularly with Connor McDavid also sidelined, urging other players to rise to the occasion.

The Oilers' victory keeps them within striking distance of the Los Angeles Kings for a better playoff position, highlighting the urgency of maintaining their performance with key players out. As the playoffs loom, the team must navigate these challenges while ensuring they stay competitive.

The current NHL landscape is seeing several key players dealing with injuries, impacting their respective teams as we head into a crucial part of the season. Rasmus Andersson of the Calgary Flames took a maintenance day, while teammate Aydar Suniev has been working off-ice due to injury concerns. Colorado Avalanche's Jonathan Drouin and Martin Necas missed a recent game due to lower-body injuries, while Dallas Stars' Jamie Benn also sat out with a maintenance issue. The Detroit Red Wings await goaltender Petr Mrazek's return, who needs to practice before rejoining game action.

In Edmonton, Leon Draisaitl left a game early, his third after returning from an undisclosed injury. Meanwhile, the Florida Panthers' Aleksander Barkov is day-to-day with an upper-body injury, though Coach Paul Maurice is optimistic about his recovery timeline. The Nashville Predators have recalled Ozzy Wiesblatt due to injuries to Colton Sissons and Jonathan Marchessault, and goaltender Spencer Stastney is also sidelined. Notably, New York Islanders forward Anthony Duclair is taking time off for personal reflection, following a tough stretch of games. The Ottawa Senators face a similar situation with Brady Tkachuk missing games due to upper-body and hip injuries. Lastly, the Pittsburgh Penguins are getting Evgeni Malkin back into the fold, as they navigate their injury-plagued roster.