The Edmonton Oilers are entering the final stretch of the regular season under less-than-ideal circumstances. Injuries have taken a serious toll with multiple key players and most notably captain Connor McDavid, sidelined during a crucial push for playoff positioning.
McDavid picked up what is believed to be a groin or abdominal injury after taking an uncalled cross-check from Jets defenseman Josh Morrissey. Initially labeled as day-to-day, the injury has kept him out of action far longer than expected.
According to Elliotte Friedman on the latest episode of 32 Thoughts, the Oilers are now targeting mid to late next week for McDavid’s return lining up with their April 9 home game against the St. Louis Blues. "McDavid has skated, as he continues to do on their trip. Just going out there every day, he's been consistent about it," he said.
"The word is mid to late next week was the target. We'll see. The Oilers lost today, they're four points behind the Kings. Does that change the way they look at his return?" Friedman added.
While McDavid has been skating regularly and showing consistency in his recovery, the team is understandably erring on the side of caution with their franchise cornerstone.
Expected return dates for other Oilers sidelined at the time being
The Oilers have not only had to manage without McDavid, but also without several other key players. Mattias Ekholm, Evander Kane, Leon Draisaitl and Trent Frederic have all missed time due to various injuries.
Oilers insider Bob Stauffer and Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli have laid out a timeline for when these reinforcements could return. Frederic is expected back between April 5 and 7, McDavid likely on April 9 with Ekholm potentially joining him.
Leon Draisaitl is tracking for a return between April 13 and 14. Head coach Kris Knoblauch had previously confirmed that Draisaitl’s injury is short-term and should not extend into the postseason.
And yes, this is all happening while the Oilers are trying to get their postseason lines in order. The chemistry, however, has been surprisingly solid with the current injury-filled lineup but as Seravalli pointed out, “trying to get everyone firing on all cylinders after a mass return isn’t easy.”
Worse, the Oilers have officially lost their shot at home-ice advantage in the first round of the playoffs after a tough loss to the Los Angeles Kings. That means for the first time in the McDavid and Draisaitl era they’ll start the postseason on the road.
For a team that thrives under the roar of Oil Country inside Rogers Place, this one stings. Expectations were sky-high this season. But a rollercoaster regular season filled with hot streaks and cold spells left them settling for third place in the Pacific.
Next. Oilers to give Calvin Pickard a much-needed break with AHL replacement. Oilers to give Calvin Pickard a much-needed break with AHL replacement. dark
Now, it’s almost certain Edmonton will face the Kings to open the playoffs though there’s still a small chance they could draw the Golden Knights instead. Either way, it's going to be a tough series and starting it away from home makes the path even steeper.
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