Knoblauch addresses concerns around McDavid ahead of Game 1.

The Edmonton Oilers will be entering the Stanley Cup Final against the Florida Panthers without one of their top forwards in Zach Hyman. Hyman suffered a season-ending injury during the Western Conference Final leaving the Oilers with a big hole to fill on offense, and it is perhaps for that reason that there was so much concern surrounding Oilers captain Connor McDavid on Sunday.

The Oilers hit the ice for practice on Sunday but at one point during the routine practice, McDavid would step away and briefly speak to the Oilers training staff before making an early exit from the ice. McDavid would not return prompting some concerns about his health ahead of the biggest games of the year.

The fact that the practice continued without McDavid was also concerning, but head coach Kris Knoblauch was very quick to shutdown any talk of a potential injury following that very same practice. Knoblauch was asked if he expected McDavid would be available to the Oilers for Game 1 and he completely dismissed the notion that McDavid was dealing with any kind of ailment.

"Yes, he'll be fine," said Knoblauch. "No issues."

I completely understand why fans in Edmonton would be concerned under the circumstances but Knoblauch seemed very definite in his answer that McDavid would play in Game 1. The good news here for the Oilers is that they still have the better part of 3 days to go before Game 1 gets underway on Wednesday night.