The Edmonton Oilers kicked off the week in Columbus on Monday night, but it didn’t take long for disaster to strike.
Captain Connor McDavid was tripped and fell awkwardly during his first shift, sliding into the boards. He was able to get up and participate in the offensive possession but quickly checked himself off the ice after just 37 seconds.
connor mcdavid took the ice for the opening faceoff, was tripped and his shift lasted just 37 seconds. there’s now seven minutes left in the first, and he hasn’t taken a shift since. pic.twitter.com/cqUOeqjz4h
— zach (@zjlaing) October 28, 2024
Here are the latest injury updates for McDavid.
Connor McDavid injury update
McDavid has reportedly sustained a lower-body injury and was quickly ruled out for the remainder of Monday night’s game. Hopefully, this move is largely precautionary, as it was hard to tell what exactly he could have hurt.
Connor McDavid will not return tonight (Lower Body)
— Bob Stauffer (@Bob_Stauffer) October 28, 2024
To make matters worse, the trip wasn’t called. McDavid slid on his back around the board and then looked up to the ref, motioning like there should have been a penalty called.
After the game, Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch said McDavid would travel back to Edmonton to be evaluated after the injury.
It goes without saying that McDavid is a huge loss for Edmonton. Heading into tonight’s game against Columbus, he was tied with Leon Draisaitl for team lead in points (10). While Draisaitl has the edge with six goals, McDavid has three and also leads the team with seven assists.
The Oilers are 4-4-1 early in the season and in fifth place in the Pacific Divison. If the captain suffered any sort of long-term injury, that could derail Edmonton’s season before it even got going. With McDavid down, Draisaitl will likely take over on the first line alongside wingers Ruan Nugent-Hopkins and Zach Hyman.
This article will be updated as more information becomes available
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