Connor McDavid returned to the Edmonton Oilers lineup on Wednesday after a three-game absence due to an ankle injury. The injury, sustained in the opening minute of a 6-1 defeat to the Columbus Blue Jackets on October 28, was initially expected to keep him out for 2-3 weeks. Although McDavid didn’t score in the Oilers’ 4-2 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights, his presence was a positive for the team. Head coach Kris Knoblauch noted McDavid’s impressive skating and smooth reintegration, despite the lack of full-contact practice beforehand.
In his return, McDavid had a slightly reduced workload, logging 21:02 minutes on a line with Zach Hyman and Jeff Skinner. He recorded two shots on goal, won 8 of 13 face-offs, and ended with a minus-1 rating. Head coach Kris Knoblauch noted that while McDavid’s conditioning was strong, the team was careful not to overextend him in his first game back. They managed his ice time to prevent any potential setbacks, keeping it at a balanced level following his time off.
So far this season, McDavid has notched 10 points—three goals and seven assists—in only 11 games. His return carries extra weight, as he now sits just eight points shy of the 1,000 career points milestone. Defenseman Brett Kulak highlighted McDavid’s unique skill set and leadership, noting that his contributions are irreplaceable in the league. The Oilers felt a sense of relief with him back in the lineup, recognizing how essential he is to their success on the ice.
During the game against the Golden Knights, both McDavid and Leon Draisaitl were tightly contained by Vegas’ defense. Golden Knights head coach Bruce Cassidy explained that their strategy focused on reducing McDavid’s speed through the neutral zone, forcing him to pass rather than use his explosive skating to generate scoring chances. This approach proved effective, as McDavid and Draisaitl were both kept off the scoresheet—a rare feat against the two star players.
McDavid is anticipated to play in the Oilers’ upcoming game against the Vancouver Canucks on Saturday. Teammate Ryan Nugent-Hopkins highlighted McDavid’s leadership and impact, describing him as the “best player in the game” and emphasizing the difference he brings to the team. Although the Oilers fell to Vegas, McDavid’s return is a positive development, and the team is optimistic that his leadership and abilities can help shift the momentum of their season in a better direction.
