Connor McDavid dismisses injury concerns as Oilers prepare for playoffs
Oilers captain Connor McDavid pushed back against concerns about his team’s health status heading into the postseason.
“I don’t like this whole notion that we’re the walking wounded here,” McDavid told reporters Tuesday. “We’re ready to roll.”
Edmonton played Monday’s 5-0 loss to the Los Angeles Kings without several key players, including McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, Zach Hyman, Trent Frederic, Mattias Ekholm, Jake Walman, and Troy Stecher.
McDavid, who returned for three games after missing eight with a lower-body injury, sat out Monday’s game for rest.
“I’ve felt, personally, night and day from before the injury,” McDavid said.
Most of Edmonton’s sidelined players are expected back for Game 1 of the playoffs. McDavid, Draisaitl, Hyman, Walman, and Stecher should all be available, while Frederic remains questionable.
Ekholm will miss the entire opening round against the Kings.
The Oilers might also start the playoffs without defenseman Darnell Nurse, who faces a hearing with the Department of Player Safety for cross-checking Kings forward Quinton Byfield during Monday’s game.
Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch provided a positive update on Evander Kane, who has missed the entire season, saying he’s “looking good,” according to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman. Kane’s return depends on clearance from team medical staff.
“I just don’t like the theory that people are counting us out,” McDavid said. “We’re a great team here. Bumps and bruises along the way, obviously. But we’re a dangerous team when we’re rolling and healthy. And we are healthy.”
The Oilers, who represented the Western Conference in last year’s Stanley Cup Final, will try to eliminate the Kings in the first round for the third straight year.
