Injury Scare for Oilers as Connor McDavid Leaves Game Early Against Blue Jackets

Connor McDavid sustained an injury tonight, adding to the Edmonton Oilers' terrible start to the NHL season. Ivan Provorov, a defenseman for the Columbus Blue Jackets, tripped Connor McDavid along the wall early in the game, sending him to the ice and back to the bench.

For a large chunk of the first period, Connor McDavid would disappear as he went straight down the tunnel with the trainers. It was formally announced that Connor McDavid would be sidelined for the remainder of the game due to a lower-body injury after he missed multiple minutes in the first period.

Naturally, the Edmonton Oilers will suffer greatly as a result of this injury. Last season, Connor McDavid led the team to the Stanley Cup Finals and has been the NHL's best player without a doubt throughout his career. A significant amount of the Edmonton Oilers' offensive output vanishes without him. The nature of Connor McDavid's injury and the potential length of his absence have not been confirmed.

Leon Draisaitl will be under even more pressure to become one of the NHL's top players now that Connor McDavid is out of the starting lineup. In addition, Zach Hyman, Corey Perry, and a number of other struggling forwards will need to improve right away in order to cover the huge void in the Edmonton Oilers lineup.