The Edmonton Oilers will not be able to start the 2024-25 season as expected, and things could continue to go downhill. In the season opener against the Columbus Blue Jackets, the Oilers announced that superstar forward Connor McDavid will not return to the contest.
McDavid played just one shift for the Oilers and was logged 37 seconds of ice time before being taken off the ice with a lower-body injury.
Connor McDavid (lower body) will not return. #Euler tonight.
— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) October 28, 2024
Early in the game, McDavid stumbled while trying to bring a loose puck into the attacking zone. He fell awkwardly onto the board and his left leg appeared to be trapped underneath.
McDavid was able to stand up after the incident, but was visibly limp.
With McDavid neither on the ice nor on the bench, the Oilers still lost 3-0 to the Blue Jackets with plenty of playing time. The Oilers will have to fight back without their captain, and perhaps the best talent in the NHL at the moment.
McDavid had a stumbling start in terms of scoring, but then picked up the pace. In nine games so far, McDavid has three goals and seven assists for 10 points.
The Oilers also got off to a stumbling start, going 2-4-1 in their first seven games. They entered the matchup against the Blue Jackets, who had won two straight.
There’s no question the Oilers hope McDavid’s latest injury isn’t serious. It’s not about lifting his team up in the standings, it’s about him chasing 1,000 career points.
McDavid played in 655 career games, totaling 338 goals and 654 assists for 992 points. McDavid also averaged just 8/1,000 assists per game over his 10-year career.
More updates will likely be released by the Oilers after their matchup with the Blue Jackets.
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