Connor McDavid Returns Sparking New Line Combinations
EDMONTON -- There is no time like the present.
Connor McDavid hasn't been one to take longer than he needs to return from injuries, and his latest ankle ailment is no exception. The Edmonton Oilers captain appears poised to make his return to the lineup for tonight's game against the Vegas Golden Knights.
McDavid will center the top line with Jeff Skinner and Zach Hyman flanking him. The second line will include Leon Draisaitl in the middle, with Vasily Podkolzin and Viktor Arvidsson on the wings.
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins will center the third line, which features Adam Henrique sliding over to the left wing and Connor Brown on the right wing. Derek Ryan, Mattias Janmark, and Corey Perry comprise the team's fourth line.
McDavid returns to lineup tonight on @Sportsnet (6:44 MT puck drop). @LouDeBrusk & @GenePrincipe alongside.
Skinner - McDavid - Hyman
Podkolzin - Draisaitl - Arvidsson
Henrique - RNH - Brown
Janmark - Ryan - Perry
Ekholm - Bouchard
Nurse - Stecher
Kulak - Emberson
Skinner pic.twitter.com/9edhXkSmCI— Jack Michaels (@EdmontonJack) November 6, 2024
The defense pairings remain unchanged, with Stuart Skinner taking the net as the starting goalie.
McDavid's return is a huge boost to the team. Fortunately for the Oilers, they didn't fall apart in his absence. Other team members, specifically Hyman and Arvidsson, began to make headway and break out of their slumps.
Connor McDavid
Russell LaBounty-Imagn Images
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Before his injury McDavid had collected an impressive 10 points in 10 games, even if that number is pedestrian by his standards. He is currently chasing down his next milestone of 1000 career points. He is eight points shy of this milestone.
If Captain Connor manages to pull off an eight-point night, he will tie Mike Bossy as the third-fastest player to reach that milestone.
All bets are off when it's McDavid.
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