McDavid to face Crosby for the first time in 2 years, Oilers confirm COVID-19 case
Oilers Head Coach Dave Tippett literally knocked on a wooden table Wednesday when he stated his team's COVID-19 concerns, so far, were limited to just one player.
Tippett confirmed defenceman Cody Ceci tested positive for the virus and was likely to be out for around 10 days.
"You do whatever you can to stop the spread," the coach said.
The team cancelled practice on Tuesday, and Tippett was hopeful Wednesday's game against the Pittsburgh Penguins was a go with an otherwise full lineup.
"We've had some guys with COVID in the summer and that, but nothing that's really gone through the dressing room. We took some steps to nip it in the bud right away, we'll see. You never know," he said.
The team had already lost three starting defenceman to injury and rookie Markus Niemelainen was recalled from the Bakersfield Condors to fill Ceci's spot.
The COVID-19 concern loomed over an important matchup for the NHL, in which two of its brightest stars were set to face off for the first time in two years.
'THEY'RE BOTH GREAT FOR THE GAME'
Connor McDavid and Sidney Crosby, both widely considered amongst the best on the planet, haven't played against each other since November 2019 because of the pandemic.
"He's won everything there is to win, and one of the best in our sport to ever do it in our sport, so it's always a good challenge," McDavid said.
The Oilers captain said he's watched Crosby "from afar" and learned about how to carry himself as a young superstar.
He also credited the Penguins captain with constantly working hard to improve his game, even though Crosby was already considered the best in the league, early in his career.
McDavid and Crosby are likely to both play on Team Canada at the 2022 Olympic Games in February in China.
"It would be so exciting to play with any of those Canadian guys. There's a deep group of players to pick from so getting an opportunity to represent my country and get to play with some of the best players in the world, and Sid is right up there at the top, it's a huge honour and something I look forward to," McDavid said.
Tippett called both superstars "generational players."
"They're both incredible players, they're both great for the game, great people. And it's too bad the don't play each other more, but we get to see it tonight," he said.
"I think they're going to have fun playing against each other…it's fun for them, and good for everyone else."
The Oilers and Penguins face off at 8 p.m. MT at Rogers Place.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'A step forward': New screening criteria for sperm donors takes effect
Canadians looking to grow their families with the assistance of sperm or egg donations should soon have more options for donors as the federal health agency does away with longstanding restrictions criticized as discriminatory.
What is whooping cough and should Canadians be concerned as Europe declares outbreak?
There is currently a whooping cough epidemic in Europe, with 10 times as many cases compared to the previous two years. While an outbreak has not been declared nationwide in Canada, whooping cough is regularly detected in the country.
Ontario Provincial Police arrest 64 suspects in child sexual exploitation investigation
Ontario Provincial Police say 64 suspects are facing a combined 348 charges in connection with a series of child sexual exploitation investigations that spanned the province.
'Summer of discontent': Federal unions vow to fight new 3-day a week office mandate
Federal unions are launching legal challenges and encouraging public sector workers to file "tens of thousands" of grievances over the new mandate requiring federal workers to return to the office at least three days a week in the fall.
Pfizer agrees to settle more than 10,000 Zantac lawsuits in U.S.: Bloomberg News
Pfizer has agreed to settle more than 10,000 lawsuits about cancer risks related to the now discontinued heartburn drug Zantac, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the deal.
Watch fighter jet pilots pummel fake enemy ship off coast of Philippines
The United States and Philippines held annual joint-training drills just off the Southeast Asian nation’s western coast on Wednesday. Military forces sunk a 'mock' enemy warship – the BRP Lake Caliraya, which was a decommissioned tanker made in China.
U.S. presidential candidate RFK Jr. had a brain worm, has recovered, campaign says
Independent U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had a parasite in his head more than a decade ago, but has fully recovered, his campaign said, after the New York Times reported about the ailment.
'Ozempic babies': Reports of surprise pregnancies raise new questions about weight loss drugs
Numerous women have shared stories of 'Ozempic babies' on social media. But the joy some experience in discovering pregnancies may come with anxiety about the unknowns.
Rookie goalie Arturs Silovs to start for Canucks in Game 1 vs. Oilers
Rookie goalie Arturs Silovs will start in net for the Canucks as Vancouver kicks off a second-round series against the Edmonton Oilers Wednesday night.