Kris Knoblauch reveals major Leon Draisaitl news before Edmonton's Game 1

That was the whole story around the Oilers heading into Monday night.

Edmonton can dress its biggest playoff difference-maker again after Draisaitl missed the final 14 games of the regular season.

Knoblauch had been careful with every update, but the lineup turn points to a clear bet.

Edmonton isn't easing into this series. The Oilers want their full top end on the ice from puck drop.

Draisaitl's return matters because his regular season was still elite even with the long absence.

He finished with 35 goals and 97 points in 65 games, which says everything about the level he was driving before getting hurt.

It also resets the pressure on Anaheim.

The Ducks got into this series with 92 points, but defending Edmonton is a different job when Draisaitl is back in his usual attack spots instead of watching from the press level.

Edmonton finished 41-30-11 and never looked like a clean, settled team for long stretches. Getting Draisaitl back gives the locker room a different feel and gives Knoblauch a lot more freedom with his bench.

The Oilers already had Connor McDavid coming off a 138-point season. Adding Draisaitl back into the mix forces Anaheim to defend wave after wave instead of loading everything against one line.

That's where this gets dangerous for the Ducks.

Edmonton closed the season with a power play running at 30.6, and Draisaitl's one-timer is still one of the most feared looks on that first unit.

It also cleans up the even-strength picture.

The latest lineup projection had Vasily Podkolzin on Draisaitl's left side and Kasperi Kapanen on his right, giving Edmonton another line with real pace and finish.

There's a trickle-down effect too.

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins doesn't have to carry as much down the middle, and Jack Roslovic can slide into a more natural supporting role instead of being stretched higher in the top six.

This is why Knoblauch's lineup reshuffle before Game 1 felt bigger than a routine playoff adjustment.

It wasn't only about who came out. It was about getting Edmonton's identity back on the ice.

If Draisaitl looks anything close to himself, the Ducks are opening this series against a team that can score in bunches.

Edmonton averaged 3.44 goals per game, and that number gets a lot more threatening with No. 29 back in uniform.

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