Leon Draisaitl #29 of the Edmonton Oilers
Leon Draisaitl will suit up for the Edmonton Oilers in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final on Thursday night after avoiding a potential suspension. While this is a relief for the Oilers, uncertainty looms over the availability of two other pivotal players in the series.
The biggest question mark surrounds Florida Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov, who left Game 2 after taking a hit to the head from Draisaitl. Despite the hit, Draisaitl will not face a disciplinary hearing. Meanwhile, the Oilers are uncertain if their top-four defenseman, Darnell Nurse, will be able to play after sustaining an injury on Monday.
“They’re a big part of our team,” Oilers Coach Kris Knoblauch said Tuesday of Draisaitl and Nurse. “Big part of the team is quite an understatement, taking either one of those two out. But whatever happens, we’ll assess it and I’m anticipating having the same amount of players available as we did for Game 1 and 2.”
Draisaitl, who has yet to score a point in the series, will remain in the lineup after the NHL decided his hit did not warrant further discipline. The only off-ice consequence from Game 2 was a $2,214 slashing fine—the maximum allowable under the collective bargaining agreement—issued to Edmonton’s Sam Carrick for spearing Florida’s Dmitry Kulikov in the third period.
Barkov clutched his jaw after Draisaitl’s high hit midway through the third period and did not return to the game. The Finnish forward, a Selke Trophy winner and a candidate for playoff MVP, was present at the Panthers’ practice facility and “wasn’t worse,” according to Coach Paul Maurice.
“That’s a really good thing,” Maurice said. “The real assessment will be (Wednesday), but if he continues to progress, we should be in good shape.”
Maurice confirmed that Barkov passed a necessary evaluation on Tuesday, but did not fully disclose whether Barkov had avoided a concussion and the associated protocol. He deflected further questions about the incident, emphasizing the importance of moving forward.
“We aren’t dealing with that anymore,” Maurice said. “Part of that is the mental discipline to leave the game where it is regardless of the result. It’s done for me. It’s all done.”
The Oilers also face a decision regarding Nurse, who missed most of Game 2 after a hit from Evan Rodrigues early in the first period. Nurse only managed three shifts following the collision.
Knoblauch had not yet discussed Nurse’s condition with the medical staff before the team boarded the plane back to Alberta. Should Nurse be unable to play, Edmonton may turn to Cody Ceci, who was a healthy scratch for Game 2.
As both teams navigate injuries and lineup uncertainties, the stakes for Game 3 remain high. With Draisaitl confirmed to play and hope for Barkov’s return, the next clash promises to be pivotal in the quest for the Stanley Cup.
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