Connor McDavid got injured in the lower body during the first period of the 6-1 loss against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Monday at Nationwide Arena. The Oilers captain’s first and only appearance lasted only 37 seconds. Defenseman Zach Werenski tripped him as he tried to enter the offensive zone, causing him to fall against the boards.
“He is our leader and also the best player in this sport, so it’s obvious that we feel his absence,” said Oilers forward Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. “We need to do a better job of stepping up our game when a player like him goes down.”
After the game, coach Kris Knoblauch indicated that McDavid would return to Edmonton to be evaluated. The Oilers (4-5-1) have two more games to play during their current road trip. They will face the Nashville Predators on Thursday and the Calgary Flames on Sunday. Their next home game will be against the New Jersey Devils on November 4.
“It’s always tough to play without your best player, but we hope his absence will be short-lived,” Knoblauch mentioned. “Obviously, our team will be different. Maybe he will miss one or two games.”
McDavid is tied for the lead on his team with 10 points (three goals, seven assists) so far this season, along with his teammate Leon Draisaitl. He totaled 132 points (32 goals, 100 assists) in 76 games during the last season.
“This is your captain, your best player,” Knoblauch added. “It will be an opportunity for other players to step up. There will be more playing time and opportunities.”
*With the contribution of independent NHL.com correspondent Craig Merz.
Injuries are always a challenging part of sports, especially when it involves a key player like Connor McDavid. The Oilers will need to come together as a team and fill the gap left by their captain’s absence. It will be interesting to see how other players step up and seize the opportunities presented by McDavid’s injury.
As the Oilers continue their road trip, fans will be eagerly awaiting updates on McDavid’s condition and hoping for a speedy recovery. In the meantime, the team will need to focus on their upcoming games and adjust their strategies to compensate for the loss of their star player.
It’s moments like these that truly test a team’s depth and resilience. The Oilers will need to rally together and show their strength in the face of adversity. Only time will tell how they will fare without McDavid on the ice, but one thing is for certain – his presence will be sorely missed.