The Anaheim Ducks have pushed the reigning two-time Western Conference champions to the brink of elimination in the first round ... and the Oilers may have to fight for their playoff lives without their best player.
Connor McDavid is a "game-time decision" for Game 5 against the Ducks, head coach Kris Knoblauch told reporters after the Oilers' captain did not take part in the team's morning skate.
It's not entirely clear what McDavid is dealing with, but the six-time scoring champ did leave Game 2 of this series with what appeared to be a lower-body injury.
He's played in all four games, though the April 26 overtime contest saw him log his least amount of ice time so far (19:32). He still recorded two points in that game, and had two on April 24 — both Oilers losses that dropped them in a 3-1 hole.
"We do have some guys who are banged up, and they continue to play and do the best they can do," Knoblauch said, per ESPN. "Ultimately, everyone has to step it up a little bit. Playoffs are a tough time to play. It's tight checking, there's not much room... right now, we need those guys who are healthy to pick up the slack for the guys who can't play like they want to."
This story will be updated when McDavid's status is clear.
April 18: A fan shows off a rally towel before Game 1 between the Philadelphia Flyers and the Pittsburgh Penguins at PPG Paints Arena.
April 7: Tusky, the Utah Mammoth mascot, rides on the Zammoth (Mammoth Zamboni) on the ice after an overtime win against the Edmonton Oilers at Delta Center.
Q&A
What is Connor McDavid's injury status for Game 5 against the Ducks?
Connor McDavid is a game-time decision for Game 5 due to a lower-body injury.
How did Connor McDavid's injury affect his performance in the playoffs?
McDavid logged his least ice time in Game 4 with 19:32 but still managed to record two points.
What are the implications of McDavid not playing in Game 5 for the Oilers?
If McDavid does not play, the Oilers will face significant challenges as they fight to avoid elimination.
When did Connor McDavid sustain his injury during the playoffs?
McDavid sustained the injury during Game 2 of the series against the Ducks.
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April 5: A Toronto Maple Leafs fan attends the game between the Carolina Hurricanes and Ottawa Senators at the Canadian Tire Centre.
April 4: Fans of the Dallas Stars and Colorado Avalanche bang on the glass during the second period of the game between the Stars and Avalanche at the American Airlines Center.
March 5; Fans in the stands during the first period between the Calgary Flames and the Ottawa Senators at Scotiabank Saddledome.
Montreal Canadiens mascot Youppi! stands on seats during the second period against the Buffalo Sabres at the Bell Centre on Jan. 22, 2026.
Vegas Golden Knights right wing Mitch Marner (93) skates during warmup in front of fans' signs welcoming him back to Toronto.
Anaheim Ducks center Leo Carlsson (91) poses for a photo with a fan as he comes off the ice after warmups.
A fan cheers during the third period in the 2026 Winter Classic ice hockey game between the Florida Panthers and the New York Rangers at loanDepot Park.
New York Rangers fans cheer after the 2026 Winter Classic against the Florida Panthers at loanDepot Park.
Philadelphia Flyers mascot Gritty and members of the Dance Team perform before game against the Vancouver Canucks at Xfinity Mobile Arena.
Young Detroit Red Wings fans make as much noise as they can during the third period at Little Caesars Arena.
Carolina Hurricanes and former Winnipeg Jets left wing Nikolaj Ehlers (27) tosses a puck to a fan in his return to Canada Life Centre.
A young fan watches the action during the third period of the game between the Utah Mammoth and San Jose Sharks at SAP Center at San Jose.
Hockey fans hold up signs before a Global Series ice hockey game between the Nashville Predators and the Pittsburgh Penguins at Avicii Arena.
Hockey fans hold up signs before a Global Series ice hockey game between the Nashville Predators and the Pittsburgh Penguins at Avicii Arena.
Minnesota Wild mascot Nordy poses for photos with fans during the first period of the game against the Winnipeg Jets at Grand Casino Arena.
Seattle Kraken mascot Buoy celebrates with goalie Joey Daccord (35) after a victory against the Chicago Blackhawks at Climate Pledge Arena.
Colorado Avalanche fans cheer in the first period against the Buffalo Sabres at Ball Arena.
A Colorado Avalanche fans holds up a sign for Colorado Avalanche goaltender Scott Wedgewood in the third period against the Anaheim Ducks at Ball Arena.
A young fan sees her reflection in the arena glass during a game between the New York Rangers and the Vancouver Canucks at Rogers Arena.
Minnesota Wild mascot Nordy poses for photos with fans during the first period of the game against the Winnipeg Jets at Grand Casino Arena.
A San Jose Sharks fan dresses in costume for Halloween during a game against the New Jersey Devils at SAP Center.
Tusky, the new Utah Mammoth mascot, is introduced to the fans before the game against the Calgary Flames at Delta Center.
A San Jose Sharks fan reacts after her team scores during the second period against the Carolina Hurricanes.
A Boston Bruins fan cheers for the team during the second period against the Philadelphia Flyers at TD Garden.
Philadelphia Flyers mascot Gritty performs before a game against the Florida Panthers
Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski (8) greets fans on the blue carpet before opening night against the New York Islanders.
Fans reach for a puck flipped over the glass by Vancouver Canucks forward Linus Karlsson (94) during warmup before a game against the St. Louis Blues.
Calgary Flames mascot Harvey the Hound before a game against the Winnipeg Jets.
Dallas Stars center Wyatt Johnston signs autographs for the fans as he walks the green carpet before the game between the Dallas Stars and the Minnesota Wild.
Tampa Bay Lightning mascot Thunderbug celebrates after beating the Florida Panthers at Benchmark International Arena.
Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury (29) skates past fans holding signs during warmups before the game against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Fleury suited up for the Penguins one last time during the preseason game.
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NHL fans and mascots cheer on their teams in 2025-26 season
April 18: A fan shows off a rally towel before Game 1 between the Philadelphia Flyers and the Pittsburgh Penguins at PPG Paints Arena.
1 / 33
NHL fans and mascots cheer on their teams in 2025-26 season
April 18: A fan shows off a rally towel before Game 1 between the Philadelphia Flyers and the Pittsburgh Penguins at PPG Paints Arena.
2 / 33
NHL fans and mascots cheer on their teams in 2025-26 season
April 7: Tusky, the Utah Mammoth mascot, rides on the Zammoth (Mammoth Zamboni) on the ice after an overtime win against the Edmonton Oilers at Delta Center.
3 / 33
NHL fans and mascots cheer on their teams in 2025-26 season
April 5: A Toronto Maple Leafs fan attends the game between the Carolina Hurricanes and Ottawa Senators at the Canadian Tire Centre.
4 / 33
NHL fans and mascots cheer on their teams in 2025-26 season
April 4: Fans of the Dallas Stars and Colorado Avalanche bang on the glass during the second period of the game between the Stars and Avalanche at the American Airlines Center.
5 / 33
NHL fans and mascots cheer on their teams in 2025-26 season
March 5; Fans in the stands during the first period between the Calgary Flames and the Ottawa Senators at Scotiabank Saddledome.
6 / 33
NHL fans and mascots cheer on their teams in 2025-26 season
Montreal Canadiens mascot Youppi! stands on seats during the second period against the Buffalo Sabres at the Bell Centre on Jan. 22, 2026.
7 / 33
NHL fans and mascots cheer on their teams in 2025-26 season
Vegas Golden Knights right wing Mitch Marner (93) skates during warmup in front of fans' signs welcoming him back to Toronto.
8 / 33
NHL fans and mascots cheer on their teams in 2025-26 season
Anaheim Ducks center Leo Carlsson (91) poses for a photo with a fan as he comes off the ice after warmups.
9 / 33
NHL fans and mascots cheer on their teams in 2025-26 season
A fan cheers during the third period in the 2026 Winter Classic ice hockey game between the Florida Panthers and the New York Rangers at loanDepot Park.
10 / 33
NHL fans and mascots cheer on their teams in 2025-26 season
New York Rangers fans cheer after the 2026 Winter Classic against the Florida Panthers at loanDepot Park.
11 / 33
NHL fans and mascots cheer on their teams in 2025-26 season
Philadelphia Flyers mascot Gritty and members of the Dance Team perform before game against the Vancouver Canucks at Xfinity Mobile Arena.
12 / 33
NHL fans and mascots cheer on their teams in 2025-26 season
Young Detroit Red Wings fans make as much noise as they can during the third period at Little Caesars Arena.
13 / 33
NHL fans and mascots cheer on their teams in 2025-26 season
Carolina Hurricanes and former Winnipeg Jets left wing Nikolaj Ehlers (27) tosses a puck to a fan in his return to Canada Life Centre.
14 / 33
NHL fans and mascots cheer on their teams in 2025-26 season
A young fan watches the action during the third period of the game between the Utah Mammoth and San Jose Sharks at SAP Center at San Jose.
15 / 33
NHL fans and mascots cheer on their teams in 2025-26 season
Hockey fans hold up signs before a Global Series ice hockey game between the Nashville Predators and the Pittsburgh Penguins at Avicii Arena.
16 / 33
NHL fans and mascots cheer on their teams in 2025-26 season
Hockey fans hold up signs before a Global Series ice hockey game between the Nashville Predators and the Pittsburgh Penguins at Avicii Arena.
17 / 33
NHL fans and mascots cheer on their teams in 2025-26 season
Minnesota Wild mascot Nordy poses for photos with fans during the first period of the game against the Winnipeg Jets at Grand Casino Arena.
18 / 33
NHL fans and mascots cheer on their teams in 2025-26 season
Seattle Kraken mascot Buoy celebrates with goalie Joey Daccord (35) after a victory against the Chicago Blackhawks at Climate Pledge Arena.
19 / 33
NHL fans and mascots cheer on their teams in 2025-26 season
Colorado Avalanche fans cheer in the first period against the Buffalo Sabres at Ball Arena.
20 / 33
NHL fans and mascots cheer on their teams in 2025-26 season
A Colorado Avalanche fans holds up a sign for Colorado Avalanche goaltender Scott Wedgewood in the third period against the Anaheim Ducks at Ball Arena.
21 / 33
NHL fans and mascots cheer on their teams in 2025-26 season
A young fan sees her reflection in the arena glass during a game between the New York Rangers and the Vancouver Canucks at Rogers Arena.
22 / 33
NHL fans and mascots cheer on their teams in 2025-26 season
Minnesota Wild mascot Nordy poses for photos with fans during the first period of the game against the Winnipeg Jets at Grand Casino Arena.
23 / 33
NHL fans and mascots cheer on their teams in 2025-26 season
A San Jose Sharks fan dresses in costume for Halloween during a game against the New Jersey Devils at SAP Center.
24 / 33
NHL fans and mascots cheer on their teams in 2025-26 season
Tusky, the new Utah Mammoth mascot, is introduced to the fans before the game against the Calgary Flames at Delta Center.
25 / 33
NHL fans and mascots cheer on their teams in 2025-26 season
A San Jose Sharks fan reacts after her team scores during the second period against the Carolina Hurricanes.
26 / 33
NHL fans and mascots cheer on their teams in 2025-26 season
A Boston Bruins fan cheers for the team during the second period against the Philadelphia Flyers at TD Garden.
27 / 33
NHL fans and mascots cheer on their teams in 2025-26 season
Philadelphia Flyers mascot Gritty performs before a game against the Florida Panthers
28 / 33
NHL fans and mascots cheer on their teams in 2025-26 season
Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski (8) greets fans on the blue carpet before opening night against the New York Islanders.
29 / 33
NHL fans and mascots cheer on their teams in 2025-26 season
Fans reach for a puck flipped over the glass by Vancouver Canucks forward Linus Karlsson (94) during warmup before a game against the St. Louis Blues.
30 / 33
NHL fans and mascots cheer on their teams in 2025-26 season
Calgary Flames mascot Harvey the Hound before a game against the Winnipeg Jets.
31 / 33
NHL fans and mascots cheer on their teams in 2025-26 season
Dallas Stars center Wyatt Johnston signs autographs for the fans as he walks the green carpet before the game between the Dallas Stars and the Minnesota Wild.
32 / 33
NHL fans and mascots cheer on their teams in 2025-26 season
Tampa Bay Lightning mascot Thunderbug celebrates after beating the Florida Panthers at Benchmark International Arena.
33 / 33
NHL fans and mascots cheer on their teams in 2025-26 season
Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury (29) skates past fans holding signs during warmups before the game against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Fleury suited up for the Penguins one last time during the preseason game.
