The Edmonton Oilers will have to play at least one more game without their leading scorer.
Leon Draisaitl will not play against the Los Angeles Kings on Saturday and is likely to miss Monday`s game against the Anaheim Ducks, coach Kris Knoblauch told reporters on Friday.
However, the injury is considered short-term, and he is expected to return well before the playoffs.
The NHL`s leading goal-scorer appeared to get injured during the second period of the Oilers` 3-2 victory over the San Jose Sharks on Thursday.
Knoblauch classified this as a lower-body injury, though Draisaitl missed four games last month with an undisclosed injury.
Draisaitl has 52 goals this season and is third in the league for points with 102.
Draisaitl`s injury is another blow to the Oilers, who have also been without captain Connor McDavid since he sustained a lower-body injury on March 20.
Goaltender Stuart Skinner and defensemen Mattias Ekholm and John Klingberg are also injured and are not with the Oilers on their current road trip.
Despite this, the Oilers have won three straight and seven of their last 10 games heading into their game against the Kings. Edmonton is just two points behind Los Angeles for second place in the Pacific Division with seven games remaining in the regular season.
Trent Frederic is considered a slight possibility for Sunday`s game, according to Knoblauch. If he plays, it will be his debut in an Oilers uniform after being traded to the team from the Boston Bruins. He has been dealing with ankle issues.
Tristan Blackwood