Oilers Injury Report: Connor McDavid & Stuart Skinner
Stuart Skinner & Connor McDavid (Sergei Belski-Imagn Images)EDMONTON – It wasn’t the result they wanted, but it could have been worse.
A lot worse.
The Edmonton Oilers lost a hard-fought game against the Winnipeg Jets 4-3 in overtime. Unfortunately, not everyone scored against the Jets (as they did against Utah). Jeff Skinner and Zach Hyman were the only goal-scorers for the Oilers.
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But the bigger story of the night was the Oilers' loss of two players after gaining two back the previous game.
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Stuart Skinner Pulled
The concussion spotter pulled Stuart Skinner with about five minutes left of the third period. In the third period, Gabriel Vilardi was tangled up with an Oilers player around the Oilers net. He then runs into Skinner, elbow-first straight to the goaltender’s head.
Calvin Pickard entered the game and only allowed one goal. Unfortunately for the team (and Pickard), it was the game-winning goal in overtime.
*Update: Knoblauch said that Skinner is good to play on Saturday. However, as Daniel Nugent-Bowman reported, they haven't decided who the starting goalie will be for Saturday night's game.
Connor McDavid Injured?
The other significant development happened before the third period even started. Connor McDavid was not on the bench to begin the third period, and many people took notice.
His last shift was only 18 seconds. After he went to the bench, Adam Henrique came out to join Hyman and Skinner. So, it’s safe to say that whatever happened to McDavid happened on that last shift.
After the game, head coach Kris Knoblauch did not have an update on Skinner or McDavid. However, The Hockey News spotted McDavid chatting with Derek Ryan and a young child (presumably one of Ryan’s children) just outside the locker room after the game.
McDavid was not wearing a boot, sling, or anything to suggest that he would be out for very long.
The Oilers announced that McDavid was out with a “lower-body injury.” Judging from the so-called play where the injury occurred and the information of him not being in a boot or sling, it’s safe to say that the injury could be related to the hip flexors, lower core, or groin area.
If McDavid misses any time, it shouldn’t be long-term. I would also be surprised if Skinner misses games.
However, Oil Country will have to wait until Saturday night’s game to know for sure.
*Update: Knoblauch spoke to the media on Friday. He said that both Leon Draisaitl and McDavid are getting MRIs. Both of them will miss Saturday's game against the Seattle Kraken. Both could miss up to a week, depending on the severity of their injuries.
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