Edmonton Oilers make huge last minute announcement on Connor McDavid

Oilers coach Knoblauch ruled out McDavid just earlier today at practice, saying that he could be at least a week away from playing.

According to an update from NHL insider Chris Johnston, Connor McDavid pushed himself to make the rerun earlier than expected.

It's great news for the Edmonton Oilers to get their captain and the best player in the NHL back in the lineup, particular for tonight as their lineup is heavily depleted.

The Oilers captain was reportedly dealing with a groin injury after an awkward cross check from Jets defenceman Josh Morrissey, and had missed nearly 3 weeks with the problem.

The Oilers have already lost Draisaitl and Nugent-Hopkins for tonight's game, so without McDavid, the team was expected to ice a lineup short one player.

McDavid was originally slated to return to play in tonight's game, as he's begun skating with the team over the course of their last road trip.

However, after Knoblauch said just earlier today that McDavid would be out another week, there's a real concern that he may now be rushing back from injury instead of fully healing. Hopefully the Oilers made the smart decision with McDavid, unlike Trent Frederic.

The Oilers dealing with so many injuries just a few weeks before the players is cause for major concern, specifically that their players won't be in peak shape when the stakes are highest.

McDavid's return should at least rejuvenate the lineup, and get other injured players hyped up to make their return to play, and gear up for the playoffs.