Is Ryan McLeod playing tonight against the Ducks? Latest injury update on forward ahead of the matchup on April 5, 2023

The Edmonton Oilers will be without the services of Ryan McLeod for their game tonight against the Anaheim Ducks. McLeod, who is currently nursing an upper-body injury, will miss his 11th consecutive game for the Oilers.

McLeod suffered the injury during a game against the Ottawa Senators and has been listed as day-to-day since then. The severity of the injury has not been disclosed. He was not part of the lineup for the Oilers game against the Kings on Tuesday night, but in a post-practice interview, McLeod revealed that his injury is healing well and is expected to be back on the ice in a week's time.

The absence of McLeod will undoubtedly be felt by the Oilers, as he has been a solid contributor to the team this season. In 55 games, he has recorded 22 points, including 11 goals and 11 assists. His speed and offensive skills have made him a valuable asset for the Oilers, particularly on the power play.

While McLeod's absence is certainly a blow for the Oilers, they have plenty of depth in the forward position to help fill the void. Players like Kailer Yamamoto and Devin Shore will likely be called upon to step up their game and contribute offensively.

The Oilers will be hoping to snap a win tonight against the Ducks, and the team will need a strong effort from everyone on the ice to do so. While Ryan McLeod's presence will be missed, the Oilers have the talent and depth to overcome his absence and come away with a much-needed win.

Ryan McLeod: Rising Star for the Edmonton Oilers

Ryan McLeod is a talented Canadian professional ice hockey forward who currently plays for the Edmonton Oilers in the NHL. He was born on September 21, 1999, and grew up in Mississauga, Ontario, where he first learned to skate on a backyard rink at the age of 18 months.

McLeod was drafted by the Oilers in the second round of the 2018 NHL Entry Draft, where he played junior hockey with the Mississauga Steelheads and Saginaw Spirit of the Ontario Hockey League before turning pro at the end of the 2018-19 season. He signed an entry-level contract with the Oilers on May 1, 2019, and has since become a valuable asset for the team.

During his NHL career, Ryan McLeod has recorded 44 points, including 20 goals and 24 assists, in 136 games played. He scored his first NHL goal against the St. Louis Blues on November 14, 2021, and signed a one-year contract extension with the Oilers for $798,000 on September 22, 2022.

Ryan McLeod comes from a family of hockey players with two older brothers who also play professional hockey, Matt and Michael. Despite being a fan of both the Edmonton Oilers and Toronto Maple Leafs in his childhood, McLeod ultimately chose to play for the Oilers, in part due to his admiration for former Oilers player Ryan Smyth.