Oilers vs. Canucks: Draisaitl Out, Nugent-Hopkins Steps Up | NHL Lineup Preview (2026)

Here’s a bombshell for Edmonton Oilers fans: Leon Draisaitl, the team’s German powerhouse, will be absent from Saturday’s showdown against the Vancouver Canucks due to a family emergency. But here’s where it gets emotional—Draisaitl is heading back to Germany to be with his family, and while his absence will undoubtedly leave a massive hole in the lineup, the Oilers organization and his teammates are standing firmly behind him. And this is the part most people miss: in times like these, hockey takes a backseat to what truly matters—family.

Draisaitl’s absence comes at a critical moment, especially considering his remarkable track record against the Canucks. In his last 27 regular-season games against Vancouver, he’s recorded at least a point in 26 of them, tallying 23 goals and 21 assists. Controversially, some might argue that the Oilers’ chances take a nosedive without him, but Connor McDavid puts it perfectly: “Everybody in here is a brother, father, son, or whatever, and that stuff comes first.” It’s a stark reminder that even in the high-stakes world of professional sports, humanity always wins.

With Draisaitl out, the Oilers are reshuffling their lineup, giving other players a chance to step up. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins will slide into Draisaitl’s second-line center role, marking his 999th NHL game—a milestone he’ll celebrate in his hometown of Burnaby, surrounded by family and friends. But here’s the question that’s sparking debate: Can the Oilers maintain their momentum without Draisaitl, especially against a Canucks team desperate to break their nine-game losing streak (0-7-2)?

McDavid remains optimistic, pointing to last season when injuries forced other players to rise to the occasion. “We had some guys step up in a really big way,” he said. “We’re looking for the same thing this year.” Vasily Podkolzin, for instance, will take over left-wing duties on the top line alongside McDavid and Zach Hyman. And this is where it gets interesting: McDavid is particularly excited about this pairing, noting Podkolzin’s recent strong performances and his ability to do the “little things” that often go unnoticed.

Andrew Mangiapane will also return to the lineup, filling Draisaitl’s spot on the fourth line with Curtis Lazar and Mattias Janmark. Between the pipes, Tristan Jarry gets the start, backed up by Calvin Pickard, while Connor Ingram stays in Edmonton to potentially start Sunday’s game against the St. Louis Blues.