If Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid doesn't play, here's how the lines will shake out.
If Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid doesn't play, here's how the lines will shake out.
EDMONTON -- There is a gigantic elephant in the room.
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Will Connor McDavid play tonight for the Edmonton Oilers? It's a pivotal game against the Vegas Golden Knights. A chance to win the season series and close the cap between themselves and the first place Pacific Division team - the Vancouver Canucks.
Yesterday the news hit that McDavid was listed as day-to-day with a "lower body" injury. This morning Kris Knoblauch told the media that he would be a game time decision.
Knoblauch on whether or not McDavid will play tonight, "he was on the ice this morning, he's [McDavid] checked with our athletic therapist. We'll probably make that decision, right after this [media availability]."
When warm ups happen for tonight's game, if he participates then he's more than likely playing. If he isn't, these are the likely lines the Oilers will run with.
The top line of Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Leon Draisaitl and Zach Hyman should be more than able to hold the fort down offensively in the absence of the Oilers captain.
Dylan Holloway is expected to play left wing alongside Ryan McLeod and Corey Perry. Knoblauch is expecting him to "pick up right where he left off."
Other Lineup Notes
It sounds like the fourth line center position will be dependent on if McDavid is playing or not. Stuart Skinner is the projected starter for the Oilers.
Game time is an early one tonight - 6:30 PM Mountain Time.
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