Knoblauch expects Draisaitl to return 'sometime' in Round 1

Edmonton Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch isn't certain that superstar Leon Draisaitl will be available for Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

"I don't anticipate him playing any games in the regular season. And then playoffs, (he'll play) sometime in that first round if things go well," Knoblauch said Monday, per Sportsnet.

He added, "If he gets in that first game, that's great. He has not been on the ice yet. We anticipate he'll be on the ice sometime this week. We'll have an indication of how that's gonna go. Probably sometime in that first round."

Draisaitl was ruled out for the remainder of the regular season after sustaining a lower-body injury March 15. He visited a doctor in Germany shortly afterward.

The playoffs begin April 18, but Edmonton's schedule and opponent are yet to be determined. Although the Oilers currently lead the Pacific Division with five games remaining, they have the same number of points as the Anaheim Ducks and are only one clear of the Vegas Golden Knights.

Edmonton has managed a 6-3-0 record in Draisaitl's absence.

Draisaitl tallied 97 points in 65 regular-season games. He's been indispensable during the Oilers' back-to-back runs to the Stanley Cup Final, notching 64 points in 47 playoff contests over the past two years.