COLUMBUS, Ohio – Oilers star Connor McDavid was injured on his first shift against the Blue Jackets on Monday night.
Edmonton coach Kris Knoblauch said after the 6-1 loss to Columbus that McDavid was returning to Edmonton where he would be evaluated. An update is expected on Tuesday.
McDavid was chasing the puck past the Blue Jackets blue line when he tripped over Zach Werenski’s outstretched stick and slid into the boards, skate left first.
McDavid braced himself with his left arm, landed awkwardly and headed toward the bench as soon as he stood up, 37 seconds later. The Oilers said he would not return with what they called a lower-body injury.
“It’s hard when you play without your best player, but hopefully it’s short-lived,” Knoblauch said. “It’s clear that our team is going to look different. Maybe that’s one or two games. I’m not sure.’
The Oilers continue their four-game road trip with stops in Nashville on Thursday and Calgary on Sunday. They host the New Jersey Devils on November 4.
The undisputed best hockey player comes out and leads Edmonton to Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final, earning the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP despite losing to Florida. McDavid scored 10 points in the team’s first nine games this season.
