NHL Status Report: Draisaitl could miss 'some time' for Oilers; Crosby likely out for Penguins

Welcome to the NHL Status Report. Here is the latest lineup/injury news around the NHL.

Edmonton Oilers

Leon Draisaitl is unlikely to play for the Oilers when they host the San Jose Sharks at Rogers Place on Tuesday (9 p.m. ET; SNW, NBCSCA). The forward sustained a lower-body injury in a 3-1 win against the Nashville Predators on Sunday. Draisaitl left the game after taking a hit from Predators forward Ozzy Wiesblatt at 4:20 of the first period. He returned for two shifts at the end of the period and then did not play in the second and third. “He had his doctor’s appointment this morning while we were on the ice and I haven’t heard anything since,” Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch said Monday. “I think we’ll be some time without him. I’m not sure if it’s one or two (games) or how long it’s going to be. I don’t have much information right now.” Draisaitl is fourth in the NHL scoring race with 97 points (35 goals, 62 assists) in 65 games. Edmonton (33-26-9) is third in the Pacific Division, one point behind the Vegas Golden Knights and two back of the Anaheim Ducks. “We don’t want to aggravate it and make it worse,” Knoblauch said. “Obviously we’re looking at the big picture, but the games are important. There’s nothing for sure right now making the playoffs and we need to win hockey games, but obviously if he’s not healthy to play, he’s not going to play.”

Pittsburgh Penguins

Sidney Crosby is unlikely to play for the Penguins when they visit the Colorado Avalanche on Monday (9:30 p.m. ET; SN-PIT, ESPN, Prime, TVAS). Crosby hasn’t played since sustaining a lower-body injury while playing for Team Canada in the quarterfinals of the 2026 Winter Olympics on Feb. 18. He has been skating during Pittsburgh’s five-game road trip, including the morning skate on Monday when he was on line with Jack St. Ivany and Kevin Hayes, who each also won't play Monday.  He leads the Penguins with 59 points (27 goals, 32 assists) in 56 games. Evgeni Malkinfinished serving the five-game suspension he received for slashing Buffalo Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin on March 5; he has 47 points (13 goals, 34 assists) in 46 games this season. Crosby hasn’t played since sustaining a lower-body injury while playing for Team Canada in the quarterfinals of the 2026 Winter Olympics on Feb. 18, but he has been skating during Pittsburgh’s five-game road trip. He leads the Penguins with 59 points (27 goals, 32 assists) in 56 games.

New York Islanders

Semyon Varlamov rejoined the Islanders at the end of practice Monday as the goalie continues to work his way back from two knee replacements. "It's great for him," coach Patrick Roy said. "I mean, he's been working so hard to get to where he is. I mean, two knee replacements, come on. It's not an easy thing for a goaltender, but he's been here a lot, and he's been doing everything the right way." Varlamov, 37, has not played since he made 21 saves in a 5-4 overtime loss to the Washington Capitals on Nov. 29, 2024. New York signed goalie David Rittich to a one-year contract on July 1, 2025, to serve as the backup for Ilya Sorokin. Islanders general manager Mathieu Darche said on March 6 that Varlamov was not an option this season. “Varly is still on the ice every day; I wish I could give you a different update," Darche said. "It's one thing to take shots and move on the ice, but it's another thing to play games. He's not at the point yet of practicing, so we don't expect him back this season." Varlamov, who is in the third season of a four-year contract, is on long-term injured reserve. The Islanders visit the Toronto Maple Leafs on Tuesday (7 p.m. ET; TSN4, MSGSN).

San Jose Sharks

Alexander Wennberg (upper body) is questionable when the Sharks visit the Edmonton Oilers on Tuesday (9 p.m. ET; SNW, NBCSCA). The center, who played for Team Sweden at the Olympics, missed a 7-4 loss to the Ottawa Senators on Sunday after he was injured during a 4-2 win against the Montreal Canadiens on Saturday. Wennberg was replaced by forward Philipp Kurashev. "I thought (Kurashev) did a good job stepping in there," coach Ryan Warsofsky said. "But let's be honest, (Wennberg) is one of our best players, so anytime you lose one of your best players, you suffer a little bit." Wennberg has 43 points (13 goals, 30 assists) in 64 games this season.

Chicago Blackhawks

Sacha Boisvert signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Blackhawks on Monday. It has an average annual value of $974,167. The 19-year-old forward was a first-round pick (No. 18) by Chicago at the 2024 NHL Draft and had 17 points (three goals, 14 assists) in 26 games for Boston University this season. Coach Jeff Blashill said Boisvert was on his way to Chicago but will likely not play when the Blackhawks host the Minnesota Wild on Tuesday (7:30 p.m. ET; HBO MAX, FDSNWIX, FDSNNOX, TNT). “The immigration thing, you just never know when it happens, so we’ll work through it to expedite it, but it’s still immigration,” Blashill said.