Oilers’ Connor McDavid leaves Sunday practice early, but will be ready for Game 1

The collective breath of Edmontonians was held Sunday morning as Connor McDavid left an Oilers practice early.

The team hit the ice at Rogers Place, days ahead of opening the Stanley Cup Finals on home ice Wednesday, and McDavid joined the team for the first 10 minutes, Oilersnation’s Jason Gregor noted. But then he spoke with trainers before leaving the ice. The rest of the team continued for another 30 minutes, Gregor added.

But after practice, Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch dispelled any concerns.

“He’ll be fine, no issues,” he said.

There was some good news for the Oilers as Connor Brown skated with the team. He didn’t skate on a line, instead he wore a grey jersey as an extra, skating with the likes of Max Jones and Derek Ryan. Brown, Knoblauch said, is expected to be ready for Game 1.

“I think he’ll be fine,” said Knoblauch. “You saw him on the ice, double-shifting, and I’m pretty sure and confident he’ll be fine for Game 1.”

Brown missed all Game 4 and 5, as well as part of Game 3, of the Western Conference Final after taking a big hit from Dallas Stars defenceman Alex Petrovic.

At practice, the Oilers kept their lines and defensive pairings the same as what helped them clinch the Western Conference Final, Oilers TV’s Tony Bray noted.