NHL stars Draisaitl and Crosby sidelined with injuries, shaking up playoff races
Two NHL stars are sidelined with lower-body injuries, affecting their teams' lineups this week. Edmonton Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl will likely miss Tuesday's game against the San Jose Sharks after a hit in Sunday's match. Meanwhile, Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby remains out, with his return delayed until at least late March due to an Olympic injury.
Both players rank among their teams' top scorers, leaving gaps in critical offensive roles.
Draisaitl's injury occurred in the first period of Sunday's game against the Nashville Predators. A heavy check from Predators forward Ozzy Wiesblatt forced him from the ice. Though he briefly returned for two shifts before the period ended, he did not play again for the rest of the match.
Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch admitted uncertainty about the severity of the injury or how long Draisaitl might be out. The 28-year-old winger sits fourth in league scoring with 97 points (35 goals, 62 assists) in 65 games. His absence comes at a crucial time, as Edmonton holds third place in the Pacific Division—one point behind Vegas and two behind Anaheim.
Crosby, meanwhile, has been sidelined since suffering his injury during Canada's Olympic quarterfinal loss to Czechia on February 18. The Penguins captain, who leads his team with 59 points (27 goals, 32 assists) in 56 games, has been skating on the current five-game road trip but has not suited up. Pittsburgh's medical staff ruled him out of Tuesday's matchup against Colorado, with a potential return not expected before the end of March.
In other recovery news, New York Islanders goaltender Semyon Varlamov rejoined the team at practice on Monday. The veteran netminder continues his rehabilitation after undergoing two knee replacement surgeries.
The Oilers will face the Sharks without Draisaitl, while the Penguins prepare to take on the Avalanche without Crosby. Both teams must adjust their strategies in the absence of key offensive players. Edmonton's playoff push in the Pacific Division and Pittsburgh's late-season performance could hinge on how quickly their stars recover. Varlamov's progress, meanwhile, offers a positive update for the Islanders as they monitor his long-term return.
