With Connor McDavid set to miss at least two games, it's time for everyone to step it up.
It looks like the worst case scenario has happened for the Edmonton Oilers. They will be without Connor McDavid for 1-2 weeks.
But it could be worse.
It could be his rookie season all over again. Where a collision into the boards cost him half of his inaugural year.
That being said, it's time for the rest of the team to step up to the plate. The team can't wait for McDavid to take the reigns. Everyone else has to.
Leon Draisaitl and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins will be relied on heavily up front with McDavid out. My expectation is that we'll see the Oilers roll out their 11-7 lineup formation for the duration of the Captain's absence.
Zach Hyman, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Leon Draisaitl and Evan Bouchard.The team is filled with leaders who can and will step up. Zach Hyman has been off to a great start and will look to continue that trajectory.
Mattias Ekholm has been an incredible mentor to the young Oilers blueliners (and frankly should be wearing a letter). Darnell Nurse is hyper-competitive and pushes everyone to up their work ethic.
Make no mistake about it, losing McDavid for any length of time is tough. But now this Oilers team can prove that they are championship material.
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