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
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
'It was joy': Trapped B.C. orca calf eats seal meat, putting rescue on hold
A rescue operation for an orca calf trapped in a remote tidal lagoon off Vancouver Island has been put on hold after it started eating seal meat thrown in the water for what is believed to be the first time.
Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
B.C. judge orders shared dog custody for exes who both 'clearly love Stella'
In a first-of-its-kind ruling, a B.C. judge has awarded a former couple joint custody of their dog.
Saskatoon police to search landfill for remains of woman missing since 2020
Saskatoon police say they will begin searching the city’s landfill for the remains of Mackenzie Lee Trottier, who has been missing for more than three years.
Shivering for health: The myths and truths of ice baths explained
In a climate of social media-endorsed wellness rituals, plunging into cold water has promised to aid muscle recovery, enhance mental health and support immune system function. But the evidence of such benefits sits on thin ice, according to researchers.