Connor McDavid makes unexpected change while out with injury, per Oilers insider

Stuart Skinner and Mattias Ekholm were also confirmed to not be joining the Oilers to begin their 4 game road trip. McDavid was included as well, but that changed when he was reportedly in Vegas today.

According to Oilers insider Mark Spector, McDavid officially kade the trip with the team, but still is not expected to take morning skate.

This would hold up with reports that McDavid is still a few games away from returning to the lineup. After the captain joins the team for a practice or two, then a return will be imminent.

The Oilers seem to be exercising a great amount of caution with McDavid's injury, trying to get him fully healed up with an eye on the playoffs beginning in a few weeks. It's surely hard to hold McDavid out when he could probably play through his current injury, but health in the playoffs is the priority.

Yesterday, reports surfaced that confirmed McDavid's exact injury is actually a groin problem. He seemed to sustain an injury after this crosscheck from Winnipeg Jets defenceman Josh Morrissey.

As long as McDavid is ready to go for the playoffs, the Oilers will be fully confident in their chances to compete for a Stanley Cup.

It's a great sign he's back travelling with the team, perhaps nearing a return to play sooner than expected - or just supporting the roster on an important trip for the standings.