Connor McDavid is a game-time decision as the Edmonton Oilers face an early elimination game in the NHL’s Stanley Cup Playoffs. The Oilers return home to Edmonton to host the Anaheim Ducks, who lead the series 3-1, in Game 5 of the first round, and the team’s captain may be a crucial absentee.
McDavid has been battling through a lower-body injury so far in the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs. While the Oilers’ captain has appeared in all four games so far in the first round, he could miss the upcoming showdown in which his team will face elimination.
In addition to McDavid, Jason Dickinson—who missed Games 2 and 3 of the series against the Ducks—is considered day-to-day and will be a game-time decision as well. If neither is able to dress for Game 5 at Rogers Place, Edmonton will be in for a very steep climb.
What happened to McDavid?
McDavid got tangled up with teammate Mattias Ekholm during Game 2 of the opening-round series against Anaheim. Immediately after the freak accident, McDavid felt pain in his right ankle and struggled to put any weight on that leg. After trying to shake the pain off, he left the game momentarily to be checked by the Oilers’ medical staff.
Connor McDavid at Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
He returned to the game and has appeared in both Games 3 and 4. However, as he missed the team’s practice before Game 5 and Knoblauch failed to provide a clear update on him, signs indicate McDavid could miss the biggest game of the season for the Oilers—and possibly the last.
McDavid’s playoff stats
McDavid has never missed a postseason game for Edmonton in his NHL career. So far, McDavid has played 100 Stanley Cup playoff games, recording 154 points (45 goals and 109 assists). Through the opening four games of the first-round matchup against Anaheim, the best player in Edmonton—and the league—has put up four points (one goal and three assists).
McDavid has been far from his best hockey—likely due to the injury he’s playing through—but the Oilers still need him on the ice if they want any chance of overcoming a 3-1 series deficit.
Next man up for the Oilers
The Oilers’ hopes will be in the hands of Leon Draisaitl, who was rushed back after missing 14 games in the regular season ahead of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The German star leads the team with seven points (one goal and six assists).
Kasperi Kapanen is the leading goal scorer with four tallies. If McDavid and Dickinson aren’t healthy enough to go, Knoblauch and company will need the unsung hero to continue his red-hot streak in order to stay alive. Perhaps it’s too late for Edmonton to salvage its season—and its Stanley Cup dream.
