The Capitals have been dealing with a myriad of injuries this season with top players like John Carlson, TJ Oshie, Niklas Backstrom, Dimitri Orlov, and Tom Wilson missing time this year.
The injury bug bit again on Saturday, when starting goaltender Darcy Kuemper left their contest against the Calgary Flames with an upper-body injury. Kuemper and his lifetime 10-2-4 record vs. the Oilers did not skate prior to Monday's game and is likely out of the lineup for the contest.
It's an issue that McDavid and the Oilers, who have been without several top-nine forwards over the last few weeks, know plenty about this season.
"We're a little banged up too, obviously. It seems to be that time of year for a couple of teams and they've been dealing with it all year and we played them banged up in Washington," he said. "They found a way to get a win so we definitely owe them a game here in our house."
Edmonton has been heavily reliant on their big guns over the last few weeks while recruits from the Bakersfield Condors have supplemented a depleted Oilers lineup. The AHL recruits have filled in admirably, allowing the Oilers to win four of their last five games.
"We've had lots of different guys step up. I look at Malone and Hamlin and Benny's back and we've had lots of different guys kind of step up and play big roles and that's what you need to do over the course of the season," McDavid said. "It's a long season. There's going to be injuries. It's always the case. You definitely need that support from all over the organization."
The Oilers Head Coach has liked what he's seen from the bottom half of his lineup over the recent stretch. Jay Woodcroft has seen contributions up and down his lineup, even if those contributions don't always end up on the scoresheet.
"We're scratching and clawing to try and find ways to win," Woodcroft said. "When you see Jesse Puljujarvi in the third period block a shot off a face off, that's a positive sign. When you see Devin Shore above his check working back to our end, that's a real positive sign. When you see Derek Ryan go out and make a play on the wall in the last two minutes of a game, that's a positive sign."
"I think there are ways while we're in this stretch, there are ways that people can find ice time and ways that they can help contribute to team wins," he added. "Not all of it just comes down to goals for, assists, that type of stuff. I think there's subtle ways that people can help, and with our injuries and with where we're at in our schedule, we need that type of continued effort and continued contribution."
The Oilers will have some added reinforcements in the lineup, with
Kailer Yamamoto expected to return
. The Oilers forward has missed the last 11 games, and 12 games overall this season with an upper-body injury. In his stead, winger Warren Foegele has been moved to the IR.
"It's been a tough first start to the year," Yamamoto said. "I mean, it's tough, but at the end of the day, you've got to keep moving forward, keep looking to when you're going to get back, so I'm back in the lineup now, I'm fired up and it should be a good one tonight."
-- Michael Arcuri, EdmontonOilers.com
