Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid continues to work his way back from a lower-body injury sustained on March 20.
His return to the Oilers' lineup, however, may hinge on how the team fares over the next few games.
Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported during the latest "Saturday Headlines" segment that the Oilers had been eyeing “mid to late (this) week” for McDavid’s return, but that plan may now be in flux.
“Before the Oilers played in Los Angeles [Saturday], McDavid skated as he continues to do on the trip,” Friedman said. “The word is mid to late next week was the target.
”You know, we’ll see.”
Saturday Headlines: some injury stuff and brainstorming awards/draft/free agency all hosted in one city.
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) April 6, 2025
Saginaw Spirit, not Sting https://t.co/DiXzj87chQ
Edmonton fell 3–0 to the Kings on Saturday, dropping four points behind them in the race for second place in the Pacific Division.
The Oilers have entered the week carrying a 44-27-5 record and 93 points against the Kings' 44-23-9 record and 97 points. Both teams have played the same 76 games.
According to Friedman, with home-ice advantage looking increasingly unlikely and the playoffs nearly secured, the Oilers may be inclined to rest McDavid a bit longer and “change the way" the team approaches his return.
"The Oilers, they're four points behind the Kings—does that change the way they kind of look at his return?" Friedman said. "You know he wants to come back as quick as possible. But he looks good. And, again, looks like mid to late this week was the target.
"Depending on whether the result changes anything."
The Oilers face the surging St. Louis Blues on Wednesday and last-place San Jose Sharks on Friday—games that could mark McDavid's return. After Friday, Edmonton has just three regular-season games left.
McDavid has 90 points in 63 games this season, including 64 assists. Teammate Leon Draisaitl also day-to-day, has scored 106 points in 71 games but has been sidelined since April 3.
