Connor McDavid was in full gear and sweating on the ice Monday morning during the Edmonton Oilers’ optional practice ahead of their evening game against the New Jersey Devils.

The National Hockey League superstar, however, will not play.

McDavid ruled out for two to three weeks with a lower body injury last week after tripping on the boards early in the Oilers’ Oct. 28 game against the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Head coach Kris Knoblauch said after practice that the Oilers captain was “not quite ready” for action.

“We’re going to take it day by day, and we’ll see,” McDavid told the media when asked if he would play this weekend. “I felt good today. We’ll see how it responds and go from there.”

The Oilers are scheduled to visit the Vancouver Canucks on Saturday after hosting the Devils on Monday and then the Vegas Golden Knights on Wednesday at Rogers Place.

Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid speaks to the media after an optional practice, November 4, 2024. (TSN)McDavid said the decision on when he returns to the lineup will depend not only on how he feels, but also on input from the team’s medical team.

“You have to listen to everyone, listen to your body as well and make the best decision with all that information,” said McDavid, who had three goals and seven assists for 10 points in 10 games before his injury.

Knoblauch said he understands why McDavid – and any player – wants to return as soon as possible: “It’s in their DNA that they want to be on the ice for games and help their teammates. »

“He’s a competitor. He wants to be on the ice. He wants to help the team win,” Knoblauch told the media. “Obviously he knows his body and the doctors are giving him their medical advice. Ultimately it will depend on when the doctors feel it is best for him to come back.”

Edmonton Oilers center Leon Draisaitl (29) celebrates a goal with teammates during an NHL game against the host Nashville Predators, October 31, 2024. (George Walker IV/Associated Press )

The coach wants to see more

Leon Draisaitl has provided everything a coach wants from a star player to lead a team to its last two wins.

And while the Oilers put up a strong effort against the Predators in a 5-1 victory on Halloween, Knoblauch said the coaching staff “could have seen more from other lines” in a game coached by Draisaitl. Victory 4-2 against the host Calgary Flames.

“I think our game needs to be simplified and get more shots on net in traffic and protect the puck a little more in the offensive zone, rather than just being a one-and-done play, where you’re looking for that shot, that pass. the slot and it’s not there – it’s recovered, and now you have to defend,” Knoblauch said.

“It’s a balance between taking advantage of those looks and getting them out of position, but if you cut them down, you’re spending more time in the offensive zone (and) you’re going to draw more penalties… It’s just better for our long-term game.”

Edmonton Oilers goalie Calvin Pickard blocks a shot on goal during an NHL game against the host Nashville Predators, October 31, 2024. (George Walker IV/Associated Press)

Highs and frosts

• Draisaitl has scored points in eight of his last nine games: 15 points on eight goals and seven assists.
• Calvin Pickard gets the start in goal for the Oilers after Stuart Skinner buoyed their win Sunday night in Calgary.
• The Devils have the fifth-best power play in the NHL (28.9%) and the 11th-best penalty kill (82.9%). The Oilers rank 25th (16.2%) and 32nd (61.8%) in those categories, respectively.
• The Devils are 1-1 in their three road games in Western Canada, including Wednesday’s game 6-0 victory against the Canucks and that of Friday 3-0 defeat to the Flames.
• New Jersey leads the league in second-half goals scored (22).
• Kurtis MacDermid joins the Devils lineup in place of Nathan Bastian, who suffered a jaw injury in Calgary.

Oilers Projected Lineup

Before

1. Vassili Podkolzine, Léon Draisaitl, Viktor Arvidsson
2. Jeff Skinner, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Zach Hyman
3. Mattias Janmark, Adam Henrique, Connor Brown
4. Derek Ryan, Noah Philp, Corey Perry

Defense

1. Mattias Ekholm • Evan Bouchard
2. Nurse Darnell • Troy Stecher
3. Brett Kulak • Ty Emberson

Aim

• Calvin Pickard and Stuart Skinner