Connor McDavid Injury Update, Status for Oilers vs. Ducks Game 5 In 2026 NHL Playoffs

The Edmonton Oilers could be heading into Tuesday's must-win Game 5 without their best player.

Connor McDavid is a game-time decision ahead of the potential elimination matchup against the Anaheim Ducks, coach Kris Knoblauch announced Tuesday afternoon.

The Ducks currently lead the first-round series 3-1.

McDavid rolled his ankle during Game 2 last Wednesday. He declined to answer when asked directly about his health after Sunday's Game 4 overtime loss.

The initial injury scare took place early in Wednesday's second period when McDavid limped off the ice following a play during which he got tangled up with a teammate and a Ducks forward.

After briefly leaving for the locker room, McDavid returned late in the period. When asked about his ankle after the game, he told reporters he had "just rolled up on it a little bit."

McDavid hasn't missed time since, and he contributed four points (one goal, three assists) in the Oilers' last two losses.

He hasn't been driving Oilers rushes at his usual dominant level, although he's still remained one of the league's fastest skaters. He recorded multiple speed bursts of over 22 miles per hour in Games 3 and 4, per NHL Edge.

When asked how healthy he is after Sunday's loss, McDavid answered: "I feel we're all doing the best we can out there. We're all working, and we're all trying to get it done."

The Oilers could be missing another forward in Jason Dickinson, who missed Games 2 and 3 but skated in Game 4. Knoblauch also described Dickinson as a game-time decision on Tuesday.

Potentially losing the team's first- and third-line centers could put even more pressure on Leon Draisaitl, who like Dickinson missed the end of the regular season with an injury.

Draisaitl will be tasked with an even heavier workload, especially on the power play and in the faceoff circle, should both McDavid and Dickinson remained sidelined.

After losing to the Florida Panthers in each of the last two Stanley Cup Finals, the Oilers were hoping to take advantage of the Panthers falling short of the playoffs by making another run to the championship series this spring.

The Oilers will look to get McDavid one step closer to his first Cup by avoiding elimination, with or without their captain, when the puck drops for Game 5 around 10 p.m. ET on Tuesday night in Edmonton.