Just in: Kris Knoblauch has learned of the horrific accident that claimed the life of one of his valuable players.
On Monday, a hush descended upon the Rogers Place crowd. The captain of the Edmonton Oilers was face down in his gloved hands on the ice.
With 16 minutes remaining in the second period, Connor McDavid was racing to the net when he went down, smashed his back against the goalpost, and collided with the end boards. At one point, he appeared to grab for his hip.
After being called for interference on a play by Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Jeff Petry, Connor McDavid returned from the locker room and continued to play after the Oilers scored with a man advantage.
I thought he looked pretty good this morning. Head coach Jay Woodcroft told reporters on Tuesday, “I thought he looked pretty good when he came back into the game last night.”
McDavid’s frightening encounter with an NHL goal post wasn’t his first.
In 2019, the star player for the Oilers collided with a post in Calgary, rupturing a ligament in his knee. Driving to the net, McDavid was tripped. The second period also had sixteen minutes remaining at that point.
“I believed my leg to be broken in two. In a documentary about his 2019 injury and rehabilitation, McDavid said, “I was just worried to stand up, I thought my leg was going to give away.”
The following season, he returned to the ice, and on Wednesday, he is anticipated to play in St. Louis against the Blues.
On Saturday, April 6, 2019, during NHL hockey action in Calgary during the second period, Connor McDavid of the Edmonton Oilers, left, receives medical attention for his injured knee after colliding with Calgary Flames goalie Mike Smith. Concerning his knee, Connor McDavid refused to comment. His limp and the brace around his left leg told everyone enough. Jeff McIntosh/The Canadian Press
“I don’t think the general public, when they talk about Connor, have a true understanding with how tough of a hockey player he is and the abuse that he endures because he’s willing to go to hard areas just night in, night out,” Woodcroft stated.
With the exception of the knee injury, McDavid has played in at least 78 games four times already in his career. He was in COVID-19 protocol for a brief period last year and missed two weeks due to a quad injury in 2020, but he is practically always active.
“I believe he doesn’t receive enough recognition for that and the struggles he faces on a daily basis. Woodcroft remarked, “He’s one tough hockey player.”
With 26 shots in the second period, the Oilers broke the franchise record and went on to win 6-3 against the Penguins. Edmonton is seeking retribution for Saturday’s 2-0 loss to the Blues.
Dylan Holloway, a rookie, skated again on Tuesday, but he is not anticipated to play. Woodcroft stated he is almost ready to go back.
