The Edmonton Oilers’ playoff run is currently on life support heading into an absolutely pivotal Game 5, trailing the Anaheim Ducks 3-1 in their first-round playoff series and running out of room for error. Now, an even bigger concern may be emerging ahead of a must-win Game 5, with Connor McDavid’s availability up in the air.
Is Connor McDavid Playing Tonight in Game 5 Vs. Ducks?
For much of this series, McDavid hasn’t looked entirely like himself. That has raised eyebrows, considering he led the NHL in scoring during the regular season with 138 points and entered the playoffs looking poised to carry Edmonton on another deep run.
Instead, his impact has felt muted. McDavid was held pointless in the first two games of the series before recording four points over the last two, but questions continue to swirl about whether injury, Anaheim’s defensive pressure, or simple fatigue is limiting the Oilers captain.
Now those concerns have only intensified. McDavid was absent from morning skate ahead of a near-elimination Game 5, an unsettling development for Edmonton. Head coach Kris Knoblauch later said both McDavid and Jason Dickinson will be game-time decisions. That immediately fueled more speculation about McDavid’s health.
There have already been signs that something may be bothering him. He appeared to roll his ankle in Game 2 but played through it. Before Game 4, both McDavid and Leon Draisaitl missed practice in what Knoblauch called maintenance days. And back in March, McDavid acknowledged he had been managing hip and groin issues.
If he’s limited or unavailable, it would be a massive blow for an Oilers team already fighting for its season.
Edmonton entered the series as the favorite after finishing second in the Pacific Division and reaching back-to-back Stanley Cup Finals, even if both ended in losses to Florida. But Anaheim has flipped the script.
The Oilers won Game 1 by a 4-3 score, then dropped three straight: 6-4 in Game 2, 7-4 in Game 3, and a heartbreaking 4-3 overtime loss in Game 4 on a controversial winner still being debated.
Just 2:29 into overtime, Ryan Poehling’s centering pass deflected off Darnell Nurse and slipped under Tristan Jarry for the winner. Officials changed an initial no-goal ruling after discussion, and with no conclusive replay to overturn it, the call stood, sparking outrage in Edmonton.
“Not exactly an oil painting of a goal, but it’s playoff time, and you throw pucks there, and sometimes you get rewarded, and they obviously were tonight,” McDavid said afterward.
Now the Oilers return to Rogers Place needing three straight wins to keep their season alive and avoid their first first-round exit since 2021.
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If Edmonton is going to survive, it may need that same resilience, and it may need a healthy Connor McDavid to lead it.
