It is uncertain when exactly McDavid was injured; he had six shifts in the second period against Winnipeg, with his final shift lasting 18 seconds before returning to the bench at 19:03. McDavid spoke with Oilers head athletic therapist T.D. Forss on the bench before the end of the period and did not return for the third.

McDavid has missed seven games this season. He was sidelined for three games from Oct. 31 to Nov. 4 with an ankle injury and was suspended three games for cross-checking Vancouver Canucks winger Conor Garland in January.