A look into the Oilers’ most demoralizing defeat yet, with the key loss potentially being one which will last longer than this one game versus the Jets.
Well, it’s safe to say no one anticipated this beginning to the season for the Edmonton Oilers. Yes, it’s still early, but it doesn’t make the early returns any less concerning.
Something just doesn’t seem right so far in Edmonton, for a team which entered the 2023-24 with lofty aspirations. The question is, does the 1-3-1 record just represent a slow start, or the sign of a bigger underlying issue?
In truth, even this question may become irrelevant, if an apparent injury on Saturday night to a certain superstar proves serious. Let’s get to our three takeaways from the 3-2 overtime loss to the Jets, with no prizes for guessing what we’re leading off with:
1) Connor McDavid’s potential absence
We hate to do this to Oilers fans, but where else can you began than with Connor McDavid? His leaving the game was the defining moment of Saturday night’s game.
At the risk of sounding like hyperbole, what remains to be seen is if McDavid’s apparent injury subsequently becomes the defining moment of the season. There is no denying him missing an extended period of games for the Oilers would be catastrophic.
The 26-year-old’s final shift of the night concluded with 4:20 left in the third period. This was preceded by a seemingly innocuous tussle with the Jets’ Mark Scheifele, after which he grabbed his left lower side.
McDavid did not return to the game for the remainder of the third period or overtime. He was understandably requested for a postgame interview, but this was denied due to being evaluated by the Oilers’ medical staff.
Oilers coach Jay Woodcroft was unable to offer much information, other than saying the issue appeared to be muscular. A proper update is expected sometime on Sunday.
There is a certain irony in the incident coming during what was arguably McDavid’s best performance of the season to date. Aside from recording an assist on both Oilers goals, he just generally looked locked in and full of energy versus the Jets.
Now, Oilers fans must wait anxiously for an update on the status of the three-time Hart Memorial Trophy winner – a period of hours which will probably feel like days to them. To say a long-term absence would be huge, is an understatement.
The Oilers are already faltering under the weight of expectation which comes with being labelled preseason Stanley Cup favourites. If McDavid is out for a lengthy period of time, it could be game over in 2023-24 for the team from Edmonton.