The sting of Canada’s overtime loss to the United States in the Olympic gold medal game will linger for Connor McDavid, but the physical toll from the tournament may prove even more consequential for the Edmonton Oilers’ playoff hopes.
While McDavid’s record-breaking 13-point performance earned him tournament MVP honours, eagle-eyed observers have raised red flags about the superstar captain’s health heading into the final stretch of the NHL season.
Connor McDavid was seen with two fingers taped after Olympic heartbreak
During the post-game handshake line, multiple users on social media documented what appeared to be tape binding two fingers together on McDavid’s right hand. The middle and ring fingers seem to be the concern, though the exact nature of the injury remains unconfirmed by the team.
The injury may explain some uncharacteristic moments throughout the tournament. Despite his dominant playmaking and elite speed remaining intact, McDavid’s puck handling looked slightly off at times mostly when attempting shots or making plays in tight spaces.
One social media user noted, “McDavid clearly is troubled by an injury. Wrist? Hand?” Another pointed out the taped fingers during the handshake sequence. “So not only do we lose, but both Connor and Leon have busted hands coming out of the break,” read another tweet.
Leon Draisaitl reportedly dealing with a hand injury
The injury concerns don’t stop with McDavid. Leon Draisaitl also appeared to be dealing with hand issues throughout Germany’s Olympic campaign. Draisaitl was repeatedly spotted icing his hand during bench breaks and he too might be nursing an injury.
Edmonton relies heavily on its two superstars to drive offensive production. So having both players compromised physically now really brings up a significant challenge. It is no secret that hand injuries are particularly problematic for elite scorers and often affect shooting accuracy and overall puck control.
The timing couldn’t be worse for Edmonton though. With 24 games remaining in the regular season, the Oilers face an uphill battle to secure favorable playoff positioning while their top players work through injuries sustained on international duty.
The team has struggled to find consistency this season making the health of Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl even more critical. Role players will need to elevate their performance to compensate for any reduction in effectiveness from the team’s stars.
The Olympic heartbreak and Oilers playoff hopes
McDavid’s bittersweet Olympic experience is again a reminder of the risk-reward calculation NHL teams face when releasing their stars for international competition. While he delivered historically great performances and earned individual accolades in Milan, he returns to Edmonton potentially compromised and emotionally drained from the final loss.
Stepping in as captain for the injured Sidney Crosby added extra weight to McDavid’s shoulders. He previously said he was “just keeping the seat warm” for Crosby hoping the Pittsburgh star would return for the final. That wish went unfulfilled and McDavid wore the “C” in Canada’s heartbreaking defeat.
Neither the Oilers nor Hockey Canada have officially commented on McDavid’s condition. The team is expected to provide updates when players return to NHL action following the Olympic break.
For now, Oilers fans can only hope that whatever ailment their captain is dealing with won’t significantly impact his ability to lead the team through the crucial final weeks of the season and into what they hope will be a deep playoff run.
Photo by Melissa Tamez/Icon Sportswire
