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Oilers’ lineup update: McDavid returns against Ducks, Henrique activated off LTIR, and Savoie recalled from Condors

Edmonton Oilers Connor McDavid Zach Hyman

Photo credit: James Carey Lauder-Imagn Images

By Michael Menzies

Feb 25, 2026, 18:00 ESTUpdated: Feb 25, 2026, 18:18 EST

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Here comes the cavalry.

Connor McDavid was shot out of a cannon heading onto the ice at Wednesday’s morning skate, and will likely suit up tonight against the Anaheim Ducks.

Edmonton Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch wouldn’t confirm 100 per cent exactly, but all indications are that the captain will suit up.

“It’s nice knowing that Connor is coming back and feeling well. We anticipate him playing tonight,” said Knoblauch on Wednesday afternoon.

Bob Stauffer

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The @EdmontonOilers morning skate: RNH-McDavid-Hyman Savoie-Draisaitl-Roslovic Podkolzin-Henrique-Frederic Mangiapane-Lazar-Janmark Ekholm-Bouchard Nurse-Walman Stastney-Emberson Jarry Ingram

7:24 PM · Feb 25, 2026

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Crystal clear.

When asked how he’s feeling and whether he’s good to go, McDavid said, “Yup.”

McDavid is set to play with his usual linemates Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Zach Hyman.

Henrique activated

Adam Henrique was officially activated from the Long-Term Injured Reserve and will play his first game since January 6 against the Nashville Predators. He suffered a broken finger after blocking a shot.

This season has not been as prolific offensively for the veteran centre, as he’s collected two goals and 10 points. He’s currently goalless in his 35 games, but has been a big piece to the team’s penalty kill.

In a one-on-one interview with Oilersnation’s Jason Gregor, he spoke about balancing the offensive side while playing a 200-foot game.

“I’ve gone through slumps or down spots and it’s a matter of just working through it. I feel like the times where you’re getting opportunities and getting chances, but they’re not going in the net you can easily get frustrated, and that’s when things can snowball and go the wrong way and you start cheating the game a little bit and then other things go the wrong way,” Henrique told Gregor.

“So, as much as I want to score, I have to make sure my complete game is there. I have to be good defensively and be on the defensive side of the puck. And the penalty kills a big part of that.”

Savoie recalled

As anticipated, Matthew Savoie is back from Bakersfield, after a loan to the Condors to save a bit of cap space. Savoie had one assist in his one game in the AHL.

He hasn’t missed a game this year, and sits in ninth in team scoring. Savoie now leads all forwards in penalty kill minutes played, while also scoring nine goals and 18 points as a rookie.

Alec Regula was also sent down on a conditioning stint. He played his second game with Bakersfield on Tuesday night, and has a goal and an assist.

Projected lines

Nugent-Hopkins-McDavid-Hyman

Savoie-Draisaitl-Roslovic

Podkolzin-Henrique-Frederic

Mangiapane-Lazar-Janmark

Ekholm-Bouchard

Nurse-Walman

Stastney-Emberson

Jarry

Ingram

Michael Menzies is an Oilersnation columnist and has been the play-by-play voice of the Bonnyville Pontiacs in the AJHL since 2019. With seven years news experience as the Editor-at-Large of Lakeland Connect in Bonnyville, he also collects vinyl, books, and stomach issues.