Oilers’ McDavid tests positive for COVID-19, being retested

Edmonton Oilers superstar Connor McDavid and forward Derek Ryan tested positive for COVID-19, head coach Dave Tippett said Tuesday, according to TSN's Ryan Rishaug.

Both players are being retested. Their status for Wednesday's contest against the Toronto Maple Leafs won't be known until game day.

They were held out of practice for precautionary reasons, according to Oilers play-by-play announcer Jack Michaels.

McDavid also missed morning skate Monday, but Tippett said the 24-year-old was just resting prior to the Oilers' game against the New York Rangers and that it wasn't a COVID-19 scare. McDavid played almost 19 minutes during Edmonton's 4-1 loss at Madison Square Garden.

He leads the league with 53 points in 33 games while averaging over 22 minutes of ice time a night. McDavid's absence would be a massive blow to the struggling Oilers, who are currently riding a four-game winless streak.

Ryan has registered two goals in 30 contests so far this season.

McDavid previously tested positive for COVID-19 and experienced mild symptoms back in October 2020.

The Maple Leafs find themselves in a similar situation prior to Wednesday's matchup.

Star center Auston Matthews tested positive on a rapid test Monday. He also took a PCR test Monday and the results came back negative Tuesday. He is awaiting further test results and hasn't been ruled out of the game against Edmonton.

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