On Tuesday evening against the Columbus Blue Jackets, the Edmonton Oilers will have rookie and 2015 1st overall pick Connor McDavid back in the lineup. The 19-year-old centre hasn’t played since November 3rd against the Philadelphia Flyers, when he suffered a broken clavicle.
McDavid was among the most productive Oilers up until his injury. Through 13 games, McDavid, who has spent the past week practicing with AHL’s Oklahoma Barons, has posted five goals and 12 points, which still ranks 18th among all NHL rookies. He currently boasts a team-high 20.8% shooting percentage, as well as six penalty minutes a plus-four rating.
Connor McDavid to Return to Oilers Lineup Tuesday
The rookie phenom has already developed into a key player for the Oilers, and looks to be centering a line between star winger Jordan Eberle as well as Benoit Pouliot. After missing nearly half a season (37 games) due to injury, McDavid has said that “It definitely feels a lot like September” in regards to coming back so late in the campaign.
Mathematically, McDavid’s Oilers are still in playoff contention, but the odds are stacked against them. At 19-26-5, Edmonton is 10 points behind the Arizona Coyotes for the final Pacific Division slot, and is tied with the Columbus Blue Jackets for last place overall. Despite that, McDavid believes there’s still hope for his Oilers. “You look at our division, the Pacific, you’re never really out of it,” he said. “I don’t think anyone in our room and our organization feels that it’s out of the question.” McDavid was named October’s ‘Rookie of the Month’, right before his injury.
HE’S BACK: Connor McDavid returns to Oilers’ lineup on Tuesday against Blue Jackets #TSNHockey pic.twitter.com/FUGxeMK6DI
— SportsCentre (@SportsCentre) February 1, 2016
Main Photo Credit:
Main Photo Caption: EDMONTON , AB – OCTOBER 15: Connor McDavid #97 of the Edmonton Oilers carries the puck against the St. Louis Blues at Rexall Place on October 15, 2015 in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.(Photo by Dan Riedlhuber/Getty Images Sport)
