McDavid out two-to-three weeks with quad injury

@Connor McDavid is expected to miss the next two-to-three weeks with a quad injury, Edmonton Oilers GM Ken Holland said Tuesday.

McDavid sustained the injury Saturday night against the Nashville Predators when he crashed into the boards early in the second period.

He was able to close out the game without missing any shifts and appeared no worse for wear. Yesterday, McDavid skated briefly before practice working with the powerplay and called his injury a “charley horse.” Head coach Dave Tippett, meanwhile, had said the injury was a “bruise on his knee.”

McDavid is expected to travel to Toronto where he will meet with his rehabilitation team, Holland said today. There was no further specification as to what the injury was, and Holland would’ve delve into the details surrounding the extent of his injury.

The loss of McDavid is tough for an Oilers club that’s in the midst of a packed Pacific Division. @Leon Draisaitl will be expected to pick up the slack left over by the loss of the Oilers captain as he continues to make a push for not only the Art Ross Trophy, but a potential Hart Trophy bid too.

Holland noted that the Oilers would be recalling a player today who will meet the club in Tampa Bay ahead of a Thursday matchup against the Lightning.

In the meantime, here’s what the Oilers schedule will look like over the next two weeks:

Feb 11 vs CHI
Feb 13 @ TBL
Feb 15 @ FLA
Feb 16 @ CAR
Feb 19 vs BOS
Feb 21 vs MIN
Feb 23 @ LAK
Feb 25 @ ANA

Given McDavid’s herculean recovery from his PCL injury last spring, I would suspect we seen him back in the Oilers lineup sooner rather than later.

According to sportsclubstats.com, the Oilers need to go 14-10-3 to have a 100% chance of making the playoffs. If Edmonton is able to come out of these next eight games with a .500 record without McDavid, the club will be in great shape for a late-season playoff push.

On Twitter: @zjlaing