The injury news keeps on piling up for the Edmonton Oilers. Superstar forward Connor McDavid left Thursday night’s matchup with the Winnipeg Jets after sustaining a lower-body injury. McDavid appeared injured after taking a crosscheck from Jets defenceman Josh Morrissey late in the second period. McDavid returned to the bench in some noticeable discomfort and wasn’t on the bench to start the third. Stuart Skinner was also forced to leave the game in the third period following a collision. These injuries come in a game where Leon Draisaitl also wasn’t available due to injury. Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch had no updates postgame on the status of McDavid and Skinner. The Oilers dropped the contest to the Jets 4-3 in overtime.
Edmonton Oilers Connor McDavid
Oilers captain Connor McDavid also missed time earlier this season due to an ankle injury that kept him out of the lineup for a couple of weeks. In 62 games this season, McDavid has registered 89 points, good enough for fourth in the NHL. McDavid has hit the 100-point mark every season of his career when he hasn’t been limited to injury. This includes a 153-point campaign in the 2022-23 season. McDavid also registered 43 points in the Oilers run to the finals in 2024.
What this means for the Oilers
If McDavid is out for any extended period it would be a massive blow to the Oilers. The team has battled through injuries this year with Evander Kane already out for the season. McDavid, Draisaitl, and Skinner are the team’s most pivotal pieces and if the team expects to make another run to the Stanley Cup Finals it is critical to have the trio at a hundred percent. At this time, Draisaitl is considered day-to-day. Ideally, he is healthy enough to suit up for the team’s next contest and can carry the load in McDavid’s absence. Draisaitl has consistently stepped up whenever McDavid has gone down and the current NHL goals leader will have to do so once more.
Main Photo Credit: Walter Tychnowicz – Imagn Images
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