This fall, the Oilers played centres Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl an average of 22 minutes per game from October through December. It was a slight increase in usage compared to the same period in the previous season. That’s a lot of hockey, which brings worry over fatigue and lower performance levels as the team chugs toward the postseason.

This is not the first time that McDavid has faced disciplinary action. He served a two-game suspension in February 2019 for a hit to the head on then-New York Islanders defenseman Nick Leddy. Additionally, he was fined $5,000 in March 2021.