Oilers Welcome Connor McDavid Back After Ankle Injury, Hope for a Turnaround – Sports Al Dente
Connor McDavid made his highly anticipated return to the Edmonton Oilers lineup on Wednesday, after missing three games due to an ankle injury. The injury, which took place early in a 6-1 defeat against the Columbus Blue Jackets on October 28, was expected to sideline McDavid for 2-3 weeks.
Although McDavid didn’t register any points in the Oilers’ 4-2 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights, his return was a welcomed sight for the team. Head coach Kris Knoblauch praised McDavid’s skating and ability to integrate into the team, despite not having participated in a full-contact practice before his return.
McDavid’s playing time was slightly restricted, as he logged 21:02 minutes on a line with Zach Hyman and Jeff Skinner. He recorded two shots on goal and won 8 of 13 face-offs, finishing with a minus-1 rating.
Knoblauch noted that while McDavid was in good physical condition, they were cautious not to overburden him in his first game back, ensuring his ice time stayed at a manageable level to avoid setbacks after his absence.
This season, McDavid has accumulated 10 points—three goals and seven assists—in just 11 games. His return is especially important as he is now only eight points shy of reaching 1,000 career points.
Defenseman Brett Kulak emphasized McDavid’s significance to the team, noting that his exceptional abilities and leadership are irreplaceable by any other player in the league. The Oilers were relieved to have McDavid back, as his presence is pivotal to their success on the ice.
During the game against the Golden Knights, McDavid, along with Leon Draisaitl, was effectively neutralized by Vegas’ defense.
Golden Knights head coach Bruce Cassidy explained their strategy of limiting McDavid’s speed through the neutral zone, forcing him to pass the puck instead of using his signature skating to create scoring chances. As a result, both McDavid and Draisaitl were held without points, which is a rare occurrence for the duo.
Looking ahead, McDavid is expected to be in the lineup when the Oilers take on the Vancouver Canucks on Saturday. His teammate Ryan Nugent-Hopkins emphasized McDavid’s leadership and importance to the team, calling him the “best player in the game” and noting that his presence makes a significant impact.
Despite the loss to Vegas, McDavid’s return is viewed as a positive development for the Oilers, who remain hopeful that his leadership and skill will help turn their season around.