Oilers’ Draisaitl & Dickinson Could be in Lineup For Game 1 Against Ducks – The Hockey Writers – Edmonton Oilers

The Edmonton Oilers are heading into Game 1 of the Western Conference First Round against the Anaheim Ducks with some massive news on the injury front. Both Leon Draisaitl and Jason Dickinson were full participants in practice on Sunday, and while the medical staff still needs to give the final green light, the signs are pointing toward a nearly healthy lineup for Monday night at Rogers Place.

Draisaitl & Dickinson Add Huge Boost to Lineup 

Draisaitl hasn’t played a game since March 15 after suffering a lower-body injury against the Nashville Predators. He ended up missing the final 14 games of the regular season and finished just shy of his fifth straight 100-point season. Seeing him back on the second line during Sunday’s skate is about as big of a boost as this team could ask for.

He was also back in his usual spot on the top power-play unit. And while he was cautious in his comments to the media, saying, “I feel good; we’ll see how it feels tomorrow,” he has been practicing since April 13, suggesting he’s trending toward playing. Having the ninth-leading scorer in the league back in the lineup changes the dynamic of this series and gives the Oilers two legitimate scoring threats that Anaheim will have to deal with.

Dickinson was another big addition at practice on Sunday. He had missed the final three games of the regular season after blocking a shot against the San Jose Sharks but looked comfortable centering a third line during the skate.

He was brought in at the trade deadline to provide exactly the kind of playoff depth and defensive responsibility this team needs in a seven-game series. His return allows head coach Kris Knoblauch to move Adam Henrique down to the fourth line, which gives them a more balanced look. If he is cleared to play, it gives Edmonton the kind of middle-six stability they were missing during the final stretch of the season.

Oilers’ Game 1 Lineup with Draisaitl & Dickinson

If Draisaitl and Dickinson are back in the lineup for Game 1, here’s a look at what their lineup could be.

Forwards:

Matthew Savoie – Connor McDavid – Zach Hyman

Vasily Podkolzin – Leon Draisaitl – Kasperi Kapanen 

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins – Jason Dickinson – Jack Roslovic

Colton Dach – Adam Henrique – Trent Frederic 

Defence:

Mattias Ekholm – Evan Bouchard

Darnell Nurse – Connor Murphy

Jake Walman – Ty Emberson

Goalies:

Connor Ingram

Tristian Jarry

Scratched: Curtis Lazar, Joshua Samanski, Spencer Stastney & Calvin Pickard

Obviously, without Draisaitl and Dickinson in their lineup, things would look very different. So, the hope is that their medical staff gives them the green light and they can get back into the lineup and help the Oilers compete for a Stanley Cup. 

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