It's been widely known that the Edmonton Oilers star player Leon Draisaitl has been battling a significant injury since the team's first round series against the LA Kings. It's believed that Draisaitl is battling through a high-ankle sprain, and that seems to be true when watching his skating. Draisaitl is clearly struggling to make sharp turns on the ice, and isn't partaking in practices.

https://oilersnation.com/2022/05/16/report-leon-draisaitl-battled-through-high-ankle-sprain-in-game-7/

Despite this injury, Draisaitl has been a beast in the playoffs. With 7 goals and 19 points in only 10 games, the Flames needed a strategy to contain him, and that strategy has evidently been to target his injured ankle.




NHL insider Frank Seravalli made public the concerns of the Department of Player Safety and Officiating departments, who claim they are «aware» of the Flames targeting Draisaitl's ankle, and will monitor these plays in game four tonight and beyond.

Although the NHL is aware of this apparently deliberate strategy to worsen Draisaitl's injury, it's unclear what the league or officials will do about it. Whether it be calling more penalties committed against Draisaitl, or the Department of Player Safety fining or suspending a player for intent to injure, nobody knows. In playoff hockey, they could just let these infractions slide.

The Battle of Alberta has been an electric series so far, and the games will be more engaging with the star player Draisaitl playing in them. If the NHL makes a decent effort to protect it's stars, it will be a step in the right direction to protect the quality of the on-ice product, and the health and safety of the players.