Oilers injury update: Draisaitl expected to return ‘sometime’ in Round 1, Hyman could play Thursday

As the Edmonton Oilers front lines prepare to make their final push for a Pacific Division title, the cavalry has arrived.

Leon Draisaitl and Zach Hyman both returned to practice as the team took to Rogers Place ice for Monday’s morning skate, taking line rushes as part of the Oilers’ fifth line alongside Owen Michaels, who the team signed to an entry-level contract earlier this month.

Neither is expected to play Tuesday against the Colorado Avalanche, nor are Max Jones and Jason Dickinson, both of whom were injured during the Oilers’ three-game road trip last week. Isaac Howard, who was recalled by the team Sunday, skated on the Oilers’ second line alongside Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Jack Roslovic, while Connor Ingram is slated to get the start.

Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch provided some injury updates for the players still out of the lineup. Hyman isn’t expected to return Tuesday, but and is considered questionable Thursday night against the Vancouver Canucks. Draisaitl, meanwhile, is expected to return ‘sometime’ in Round 1.

Dickinson, who was injured in a game against the San Jose Sharks last week, blocking a shot that kept him out of Saturday’s game against the Los Angeles Kings, won’t play in either of the final two regular-season games. Jones, meanwhile, was shaken up in the Kings’ game, falling awkwardly on his third shift, needing help off the ice. He’s expected to be out three-to-four weeks.