Star forward Leon Draisaitl is doubtful for Thursday’s big tilt between the Edmonton Oilers and the Winnipeg Jets and is currently considered day-to-day, according to head coach Kris Knoblauch.

Speaking to media after morning practice, Knoblauch did not say what Draisaitl is dealing with, but confirmed they’re mostly going to sit him out of an abundance of caution.

Draisaitl played 22:23 on Tuesday against Utah but was held without a point despite the Oilers’ commanding 7-1 win. He looked to be in some discomfort after a fall midway through the game, but continued to take shifts regularly.

The German pivot’s absence comes as he leads the league in goals scored by a considerable margin. He currently sits on the cusp of a fourth 50-goal season with 49 tucks so far, leading the chase for his first Rocket Richard trophy by 11 over William Nylander. His 101 total points have him second in the league behind Nathan MacKinnon’s 104, good for his fourth consecutive 100-point season.

Now set to face one of the hottest teams in the NHL with Winnipeg coming to town, Knoblauch put pressure on his team’s depth forwards, saying: “We’ll need guys stepping up with Leon’s absence, the way he’s been playing.”

Meanwhile, rugged winger Evander Kane returned to the ice to skate with the team for the first time since undergoing abdominal surgery in September and an operation on his knee in January. Kane hasn’t played since last year’s Stanley Cup Final against the Florida Panthers, and it has already been confirmed that he will not return during the regular season.

Regardless, seeing him on the ice is good news for a team that has been missing his physicality and the depth he brings to their offence. There continues to be some speculation that he could return for the playoffs, especially if Edmonton makes a deep run. Kane is currently on the second last year of a $5.125 million AAV contract, which won’t count towards the cap if he’s activated solely for the playoffs.