Oilers insider drops major update after Connor McDavid’s injury

The Edmonton Oilers lost the Stanley Cup Finals last season but have started the 2024-25 campaign below expectations. They entered Monday’s game against the Columbus Blue Jackets with a 4-4-1 record, and they couldn’t have had a worse start to the game, with an injury to their best player by far.

Connor McDavid began the game by winning the opening face-off, but after just 37 seconds, he was tripped by an opponent and awkwardly slammed into the boards. It was immediately clear that the collision hurt him, and although McDavid managed to skate to the bench on his own, he did not return to the game.

Without their captain, the Oilers struggled to create chances and ultimately lost 6-1 to the Blue Jackets.

“He’s our leader and the best player in the game, so of course you feel it,” teammate Ryan Nugent-Hopkins said, according to NHL.com. “We’ve got to do a better job of stepping up when a guy like that goes down.”

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The game against the Blue Jackets was the first of three on the Oilers’ road trip, with games against the Nashville Predators on Thursday and the Calgary Flames on Sunday. However, post-game, head coach Kris Knoblauch shared that McDavid was heading back to Edmonton for further evaluation.

All of Edmonton is holding its breath right now, as a serious injury to McDavid would be the last thing the team needs. Fortunately, Oilers insider Ryan Rishaug shared an encouraging update on McDavid’s injury, which fans were thrilled to hear.

“Early word out of Columbus is that it’s nothing too serious with McDavid at this point,” wrote Rishaug.

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