Oilers Are Not Sure About Draisaitl’s And Nurse’s Status For Game 3

Edmonton Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch expressed concern over the potential absence of Darnell Nurse and Leon Draisaitl for Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final. While their statuses for the game remain unclear, Nurse is nursing an injury sustained in Game 2, which significantly limited his ice time to just over 4 minutes. Additionally, Draisaitl’s involvement in a high hit on Aleksander Barkov might warrant the league’s scrutiny, potentially impacting Barkov’s availability as well.

There’s optimism regarding Nurse’s availability for Game 3, as he refused to leave the bench in Game 2 and eventually entered the ice late in the third period. With three days until Game 3, the extended rest period may provide enough time for Nurse to recover sufficiently and handle his usual workload without being a liability for the Oilers.

Draisaitl’s status might hinge on Barkov’s availability. If the Panthers’ center is sidelined, Florida could appeal to the league to review Draisaitl’s hit. Opinions on the hit vary, with some considering it dirty due to an elbow to the jaw, while others view it as barely a penalty and not more egregious than other hits seen throughout the series.

The Edmonton Oilers face a daunting challenge in trying to claw their way back into the series, even if both Draisaitl and Nurse are available for Game 3. Trailing 2-0, they find themselves in a rare position, as only three teams in Stanley Cup Final history have managed to overcome such a deficit to claim victory. Merely relying on the return of these two players won’t suffice; the Oilers require a collective effort characterized by commitment, intensity, offensive opportunities, vigor, teamwork, and an elevated performance to match the level displayed by the Florida Panthers in Game 2.

Draisaitl acknowledged the need for improvement, stating, “We can certainly be better. It starts with me.” The Oilers must elevate their game significantly for Game 3, especially considering they will have home-ice advantage in front of their supporters in Edmonton. Failing to do so would likely seal their fate in the series, regardless of the personnel available. As Zach Hyman remarked, “Now it’s our job to go back to Edmonton and win two.”