Connor McDavid injured in Edmonton Oilers’ loss to Winnipeg Jets Saturday night

The Edmonton Oilers’ unexpectedly lackluster start to their 2023-24 season is in danger of turning into something far worse. During Saturday’s 3-2 overtime home loss to the Winnipeg Jets, which dropped Edmonton’s record to 1-3-1, superstar captain Connor McDavid appeared to suffer an injury.

The injury occurred during the third period, when grabbed his left side while rushing up the ice. McDavid, who had played 20:48 and had two assists, did not play the final 4:20 of the third period. He attempted a light skate before overtime but did not return to the game, which ended on a Mark Scheifele goal.

“I think we noticed, that’s probably the understatement of the century,” Jets defenseman Josh Morrissey told reporters about McDavid’s absence during the overtime. “I don’t know what’s going on there, but 3-on-3 overtime you’re looking for him, so we did notice, yeah.

“I didn’t walk back there yet but it looked to be more muscular,” Oilers coach Jay Woodcroft told reporters after the game. “I’ll have an update (Sunday)”.

The Oilers entered the year carrying high expectations after reaching 50 wins last season for the first time since 1986-87. During their 1-3-1 start, they’ve been outscored 20-13. If McDavid has to miss time, he’ll obviously be irreplaceable, having led the NHL in scoring five of the past seven seasons as the greatest player of his generation. He had only missed two games in the Oilers previous three seasons combined. The first major injury of his career game during his rookie campaign when he broke his collarbone following a crash into the boards, and the second was a torn PCL in his knee that he rehabbed miraculously in time for the start of the 2020-21 season.

The Oilers then, are relatively untested without their icon in recent seasons. He has missed just 13 games in total over the previous five seasons. The Oilers’ record without him all-time: 19-22-9.