Oilers' McDavid flying back to Edmonton early after LBI vs. Blue Jackets
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Edmonton Oilers forward Connor McDavid suffered a lower-body injury in the first period of Monday’s game against the Columbus Blue Jackets and did not return.
TSN's Ryan Rishaug reported that the initial word out of Columbus was that the injury wasn't too serious but head coach Kris Knoblauch told reporters that McDavid will be travelling back to Edmonton to get re-evaluated. Leaving the road trip means McDavid is expected to miss Thursday's game against the Nashville Predators, with Edmonton headed back to Alberta after that for a road clash with the Calgary Flames.
The injury occurred during the opening shift of the game as McDavid was battling for the puck in the offensive zone.
Blue Jackets defenceman Zach Werenski appeared to trip McDavid, who went tumbling into the boards. No penalty was called on the play.
The Oilers' captain attempted to remain in the play, but eventually skated to the bench under his own power and did not take another shift.
Edmonton ended up falling to the Blue Jackets 6-1 on Monday, dropping their record to 4-5-1 on the early season.
“He's our leader and also the best player in the game,” Oilers forward Ryan Nugent-Hopkins said. “So, of course you're going to feel it. We’ve got to do a better job of stepping up when a guy like that goes down.”
McDavid has appeared in nine games this season for the Oilers and has three goals and seven assists.