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.
