Oilers’ Connor McDavid a game-time decision ahead of Game 5

Well…this isn’t good news if you’re an Edmonton Oilers fan.

When speaking to the media, head coach Kris Knoblauch revealed that captain Connor McDavid is considered a game-time decision for Game 5 of the Pacific Division Semifinal against the Anaheim Ducks.

It’s not quite clear what could possibly be holding McDavid out of the lineup for an elimination game, but it was enough to keep him from participating in practice leading up to Game 4 of the series on Sunday. No. 97, played in the contest, registering two assists, but the Oilers still lost, 4-3, in overtime.

There was concern for McDavid during Game 2 of the series back in Edmonton. In that game, an awkward collision with teammate Mattias Ekholm led to the all-world player exiting the game briefly with an apparent lower-body injury. Yet, he quickly returned to the game, logging over 24 minutes in a disappointing 6-4 loss.

The Richmond Hill, Ont. native finally registered his first point of the series in Game 3 last week, scoring a goal and an assist, but it still wasn’t enough, as the Oilers lost, 7-4. Now, as the series shifts back to Alberta with the home side trailing 3-1, it’s safe to say Edmonton needs its star player in the lineup if they want any chance of avoiding elimination.

Even though McDavid has just four points through the first four games of the series, others have picked up the slack. Leon Draisaitl, having just returned from his own injury that he suffered late in the regular season, has scored a goal and seven points so far against Anaheim. Kasperi Kapanen has potted four goals and five points as well. Yet, the goaltending has let the Oilers down. Connor Ingram started the first three games of the series, but Knoblauch turned to Tristan Jarry after the disaster that was Game 3. Yet, even Jarry couldn’t save in the day in the OT loss on Sunday.

Puck drop for Game 5 at Rogers Place is scheduled for a little after 10 p.m. ET.