‘Tough hockey player’: Oilers’ McDavid ok after scary net mishap

Connor McDavid is ready to go.

McDavid, who briefly left the Pittsburgh Penguins 6-3 loss on Monday after crashing into the opposing goal post, shouldn’t run out of time for the Edmonton Oilers.

McDavid injury pic.twitter.com/mwD34lHE5V

— Brady Trettenero (@BradyTrett) October 25, 2022

In other words, he’ll wear his kit when the Oilers play the St. Louis Blues on Wednesday.

“I expect it, yes,” said Edmonton coach Jay Woodcroft confirmed to media Tuesday.

McDavid left the game at 3:31 of the second when he was pushed into the goal post by Pittsburgh defender Jeff Petry, but returned later in the period.

“He looked pretty good to me this morning. It looked pretty good to me when he came back into the game last night,” Woodcroft said. “I don’t think the general public, when they talk about Connor, really understand what a tough hockey player he is and the abuse he gets because he’s willing to go to tough areas just at night, night-out. Last night he entered the post, but he was driving the net hard looking to attack.

“Everyone is together. You eat your meals together. You spend time together away from the rink.”

Coach Woodcroft comments on the first #Huilers road trip of the season and also provides updates on McDavid & Holloway. pic.twitter.com/MgOCUbwoFc

— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) October 25, 2022

McDavid has played in 80 of 82 games in 2021-22 and appeared in all 56 skates in the COVID-19 shortened season in 2020-21.

He recorded 64 games in 71 occasions in 2019-20.

“For me, I don’t think he gets enough credit for that and what he plays on a daily basis,” Woodcroft said. “He’s a tough hockey player, and you can see when your captain plays through things like that, I think that resonates with the rest of the dressing room.”

Edmonton also received encouraging news on non-McDavid injuries.

Dylan Holloway, who missed three games with an undisclosed illness, is also set to return.

“I think it was really positive that he was in our skates today,” Woodcroft said. “He’s been the last few days, but today he’s had a bit more. I think he’s close. I think he’s very close.