The Edmonton Oilers‘ slow start to the season may have gotten significantly worse.
Captain Connor McDavid exited Monday’s game against the Columbus Blue Jackets with a lower-body injury midway through the first period. The team later announced that he would not return.
The injury appeared to occur just after the opening faceoff as McDavid was chasing a puck dumped into the offensive zone. He was tripped alongside the boards and seemed to fall awkwardly, ramming his left foot into the side board.
McDavid was able to get up and skate off the ice on his own and remained on the bench for several minutes before heading to the locker room. In total, he played just 37 seconds before leaving the game.
Head coach Kris Knoblauch told reporters after the game that McDavid is travelling back to Edmonton to get evaluated and will not play when the team visits the Nashville Predators on Thursday.
“Obviously our team is going to look different,” Knoblauch said, “but maybe that’s one, two games; I’m not sure.”
The 27-year-old has three goals and 10 points in nine games so far this season, though his Oilers sit fifth in the Pacific Division with a 4-4-1 record.
