Loss of Connor McDavid a tough blow for Oilers
Connor McDavid will officially miss time for the Edmonton Oilers, but the reaction to his absence is all about perspective.
It’s now official – Connor McDavid will miss playing time for the Edmonton Oilers. The team issued a press release on Sunday, confirming he is expected to be out of the lineup for one-to-two weeks.
As per the NHL’s wonderfully ambiguous approach to providing injury information, McDavid is listed as having an upper-body injury. He sustained the injury during Saturday’s 3-2 overtime loss to the Winnipeg Jets.
The 26-year-old’s final shift of the game concluded with 4:20 left in the third period. The injury apparently happened as a result of a seemingly innocuous tussle with the Jets’ Mark Scheifele, after which he grabbed his left lower back.
Oilers fans understandably feared the worst, when McDavid sat out the remainder of the third period and overtime. After the game, coach Jay Woodcroft could only advise the issue appeared to be muscular.
Perception is reality
In terms of fan reaction to the official announcement of the six-time All-Star’s injury status, it really does come down to a case of perception being reality. On the one hand, any games without their superstar is a blow to the team.
In this respect, the Oilers are off to a very underwhelming beginning to the 2023-24 season. With a record of just 1-3-1 through five games, this is nowhere near what was expected from a team with genuine aspirations of going all the way.
As such, the last thing the Oilers need, is to have to play without McDavid for any period of time. Going on the projection of him being out for one-to-two weeks, this means he will miss anyway between three and five games, including the Heritage Classic.
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On the flip side however, the team and fans alike should be relieved the absence is not a long-term issue. For example, can you imagine how everyone in Edmonton would feel, if it had been announced the three-time Hart Memorial Trophy winner had suffered a season-ending injury?
Heck, let’s be honest, even a two-month absence would have been terrible news for the Oilers organization. From this perspective, one-to-two weeks is minor in comparison.
Of course, this doesn’t mean McDavid won’t be missed or that it won’t negatively impact results. Not that his eight points (two goals and six assists) in the first five games had garnered many positive outcomes anyway.
Who will step up while Connor McDavid is out?
The question is, without the five-time Art Ross Trophy winner in the lineup, who will step up for the Oilers? We know Leon Draisaitl will continue to produce, but he obviously needs help.
It starts with, Evander Kane and Connor Brown, who’ve both disappointing thus far, but need to start playing more like what they’re capable of. Meanwhile, the likes of Dylan Holloway, Warren Foegele Ryan and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins have performed well, but still need to move up a gear while McDavid is out.
It would also help if the blue line started to show some more consistency and play up to their talent level. (Yes, we’re looking at you Evan Bouchard and Darnell Nurse.) And as much as they’ve been left hung out to dry too much already this season, both Jack Campbell and Stuart Skinner need to be better between the pipes when called upon.
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This is undoubtedly going to be a crucial stretch for the Oilers without Mr. Connor McDavid. Even this early on, how the team responds during his absence could define the rest of the season.