The Edmonton Oilers are back in action tonight, and they will have their captain in the lineup.
Connor McDavid is officially in for Edmonton against the Anaheim Ducks, just days after the Oilers captain suffered a crushing defeat in the Olympic gold medal game. There was some question as to whether or not he would be ready to go so soon after the tournament, but those doubts were squashed at Wednesday’s morning skate.
McDavid took his usual spot on the Oilers’ top line next to Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Zach Hyman. The captain spoke with the media this morning, confirming his return.
“Yep,” McDavid said when asked if he was good to go for tonight. “These are important games, these are important wins for us, and I gotta get going.”
“It starts with a big road trip here.”
After retuning from #MilanoCortina2026, Connor McDavid shares his outlook heading into the remainder of the #Oilers season. @Enterprise | #LetsGoOilers pic.twitter.com/MnUuc2iUJU
— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) February 25, 2026
The rest of the lineup saw a few changes to the forward lines and defensive pairs. 880 CHED’s Bob Stauffer was on hand at this morning’s skate and was able to share the team’s formation coming out of the break.
The @EdmontonOilers morning skate:
RNH-McDavid-Hyman
Savoie-Draisaitl-Roslovic
Podkolzin-Henrique-Frederic
Mangiapane-Lazar-Janmark
Ekholm-Bouchard
Nurse-Walman
Stastney-Emberson
Jarry
Ingram
— Bob Stauffer (@Bob_Stauffer) February 25, 2026
Leon Draisaitl, who is also fresh off an Olympic defeat in Italy, will now have Matt Savoie flanking his left side while Jack Roslovic slides onto his right wing. This trio has had some chemistry in the past, although they haven’t had a lot of time playing together.
Vasily Podkolzin, who is usually beside Draisaitl, has been demoted to the third line, where he will try to get Adam Henrique and Trent Frederic firing. Henrique has missed the last 15 games with an injury, while Frederic has struggled with just two goals and three points through 55 games.
Trade rumours are starting to heat up around Andrew Mangiapane, but he will be in the Oilers’ lineup against the Ducks, rounding out the fourth line with Curtis Lazar and Mattias Janmark.
Kasperi Kapanen will not be in the lineup as he deals with an unspecified injury.
On the blueline, the top pair of Evan Bouchard and Mattias Ekholm remains intact. Darnell Nurse is in his usual spot on the second pair, while Jake Walman jumps up on the right side. Spencer Stastney and Ty Emberson make up the third pair.
Tristan Jarry was in the starter’s net at practice and appears to be making the start in Anaheim. He has a career 3-3-0 record in seven games against the Ducks.
Puck drop is set for 8:30 p.m. MST.