Conor McDavid is missing from the Oilers due to injury. © APA / CODIE MCLACHLAN

Oilers lose without the stars at the Kings

Without injured stars Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid, the Edmonton Oilers lost to division rivals Los Angeles Kings.

06 April 2025

From: dpa/sn

Due to the 0-3 defeat in Los Angeles, the Oilers only have a theoretical chance of moving up to second place in the Pacific Division and securing home advantage for the first round of the playoffs.

Both teams will likely meet in the first round. The Kings secured their playoff qualification with their own win and the Calgary Flames' loss to the Vegas Golden Knights.

Leon Draisaitl has to take a break. © APA / LEILA DEVLIN

Draisaitl suffered a lower-body injury on Thursday against the San José Sharks. Further details are not available. However, according to US and Canadian media, it is not the same injury that recently forced him to sit out four games.

Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch expressed optimism. "I'm not too worried," he said of his star before the game in Los Angeles: "He should be back long before the playoffs." However, the coach did not give a precise date for the 29-year-old Cologne native's return.

Crosby led Pittsburgh to victory with a triple pack

The day after Alexander Ovechkin reached a milestone and equaled Wayne Gretzky's NHL scoring record, another veteran also made his mark. Sidney Crosby led his Pittsburgh Penguins to a 5-3 victory over the Dallas Stars on Saturday with three goals and an assist.

For Crosby, it was the 14th hat trick of his NHL career. The 37-year-old Canadian reached the 13-goal mark for the 30th time. Pittsburgh is still virtually out of the playoff race.