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Leon Draisaitl Reflects on Oilers' Early Playoff Exit and Team's Struggles
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- Leon Draisaitl Reflects on Oilers' Early Playoff Exit and Team's Struggles
The Edmonton Oilers entered the 2025-26 NHL season tied for the best preseason odds to win the Stanley Cup, but their run ended earlier than expected.
The Oilers could do nothing to stop the up-and-coming Anaheim Ducks in their first-round matchup, falling 4-2 in the series and failing to reach the second round for the first time since 2021.
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Anaheim wrapped up the series with a 5-2 win in Game 6 on Thursday night, shaking off a loss in Game 1 and winning four of the next five games.
After Edmonton's early elimination, Leon Draisaitl pointed to the physical toll on the roster as a defining factor for the loss, with the German center falling just short of using injuries as an excuse for it.
Edmonton Oilers center Leon Draisaitl (29) looks on at the Lenovo Center.James Guillory-Imagn Images
“It’s hard,” Draisaitl said. “Our centers 1, 2, 3 are playing through stuff. But at the end of the day, you have to find ways to win games in any way. You have to grind one out, you have to defend one out. Injuries, they (stink), and it hit us at a bad time, certainly. But at the end of the day, they were the better team. I’ll leave it at that.”
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Draisaitl was blunt in acknowledging that the Oilers were unable to match the Ducks' play and find the level required to advance deeper into the postseason.
“For sure, we never really found what you need to find at this time of year especially to go all the way. In my opinion, just not good enough,” Draisaitl said.
Edmonton averaged 3.5 goals per game in the series but allowed 4.33 gpg to Anaheim. Draisaitl made clear that despite the injuries, the expectation remained to execute in playoff conditions, and that didn't happen.
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“I think as much as it hurts, I think they were just the better team,” Draisaitl said.
The Oilers will enter the offseason with a projected $16.5 million in cap space and 15 players of their current 23-man squad under contract.
Related: Connor McDavid Doesn't Hold Back After Oilers' Playoff Exit
Related: Bruins Share Unfortunate Viktor Arvidsson Update Before Game 6
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on May 1, 2026, where it first appeared in the NHL section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
