The Edmonton Oilers are without the services of superstar center Connor McDavid this evening as they take on the Vegas Golden Knights. McDavid was called a game-time decision by head coach Kris Knoblauch earlier today but ultimately missed tonight’s game after suffering a lower-body injury Saturday against the Calgary Flames.
McDavid needs just one assist to reach 100 on the season and would become just the fourth player to ever tally 100 assists in a season alongside Wayne Gretzky, Bobby Orr and Mario Lemieux. The 27-year-old has 31 goals to go along with his 99 helpers in 74 games this season as he and the Oilers sit second in the Pacific Division behind the Vancouver Canucks.
In other Western Conference notes:
- Vegas Golden Knights forward Chandler Stephenson didn’t dress tonight against the Oilers for personal reasons. The 29-year-old is an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season and has seen his numbers dip this season from a career high 65 points last year. In 73 games, Stephenson has 16 goals and 31 assists and a -11 plus/minus. Recent callup Brendan Brisson replaced Stephenson in the Golden Knights lineup.
- The Chicago Blackhawks have loaned forward Paul Ludwinski to the Rockford IceHogs of the AHL. The 19-year-old was assigned to Rockford last year as well but didn’t appear in any games. A native of Toronto, Ontario, Ludwinski was selected in the second round of the 2022 NHL entry draft by Chicago and appeared in 60 games this season for the Kingston Frontenacs of the Ontario Hockey League. He set career highs in most offensive categories as he tallied 23 goals and 46 assists and added six points in five playoff games.
I thought you had to be 20 to play in AHL? How did they get to send Ludwinski there when he was 18 & 19? When is the Junior Hockey season over?
I’m guessing Kingston is out of the playoffs in the CHL. So hes joining the AHL for the rest of the season. Pretty common. Hes also 20 in a couple weeks.
Stephenson to the Sabres next year to play 3C @ 3yrs/$20 mill contract.
Above average even strength player with speed who can kill penalties and put up .75 or more points per game. Thompson, Cozens, Stephenson as Top 3 Centers. Pretty strong Top 9.
Peterka Thompson Tuch
Benson Cozens Quinn
Skinner Stephenson Greenway
Kulich Krebs Rousek
Dahlin Power
Byram Jokiharju (Trade candidate for harder to play against Dman)
Samuelsson Clifton
UPL
Levi
You want to give a 3C almost $7 mill a year?! lol. I know the Sabres like to overpay but that’s ludicrous.
@Brother G — Stephenson’s a pending UFA after the season. Why on earth would he consider Buffalo a primo destination, even if they try to offer him the moon? Right now, they’re about as toxic as Philly or CBJ.