Draisaitl returns from LTIR in Game 1 vs. Ducks

Edmonton Oilers superstar Leon Draisaitl returned from long-term injured reserve in Game 1 against the Anaheim Ducks on Monday.

He missed the final 14 contests of the regular season with a lower-body injury.

Draisaitl, who's been out since March 15, had been coy on his playoff status. Edmonton head coach Kris Knoblauch said in early April that he expected Draisaitl to be ready "sometime" in Round 1.

The Oilers went 8-4-2 with Draisaitl sidelined, earning second place in the Pacific Division and home-ice advantage for the first round.

Draisaitl finished the season with 97 points in 65 games. He leads all players with 41 playoff goals since 2022, and has been instrumental in helping the Oilers reach back-to-back Stanley Cup Finals in 2024 and 2025.

"He has an ability to raise his game to a whole other level," captain Connor McDavid said Sunday, per Sportsnet's Mark Spector. "We see that time and time again in the playoffs, a guy who battles through anything."