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The Edmonton Oilers offer Canada's best shot in the 2026 Stanley Cup playoffs, as one interesting study revealed.

The Edmonton Oilers are set to face off against the Anaheim Ducks on Tuesday in a win-or-go-home Game 5. The Oilers are entering this matchup with all the momentum against them, as they have lost each of their last two games to the Ducks. However, the Oilers now must bounce back and win, or their playoff run will come to an early end.

However, there is now even more stress heading into Game 5 for the Oilers, as head coach Kris Knoblauch has now provided a less-than-ideal update on superstar forward Connor McDavid.

Oilers Announce That Connor McDavid is A Game-Time Decision for Game 5

According to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, Knoblauch informed reporters that McDavid will be a game-time decision for Game 5. With this being a must-win contest for the Oilers, it is undoubtedly concerning that McDavid’s availability for the matchup is currently in question.

Knoblauch did not mention the specific injury that McDavid is dealing with that is making the superstar center be a game-time decision for Game 5. No matter the case, the Oilers will be hoping that McDavid will be good to go for this big matchup. If not, the Oilers would have the incredibly difficult task of trying to win without their best player in the lineup.

McDavid has appeared in four games this postseason for the Oilers, where he has one goal, three assists, four points, and a minus-6 rating. This is after he had 48 goals, 90 assists, 138 points, and a plus-17 rating in 82 games during this regular season.

McDavid Is Not The Only Game-Time Decision for the Oilers

Knoblauch shared with reporters that Jason Dickinson is also a game-time decision for the Oilers’ Game 5 matchup against the Ducks. While Dickinson is not the same caliber of player as McDavid, it would still be tough news for the Oilers if he is unable to play in Game 5.

Dickinson is one of the Oilers’ key defensive forwards and penalty killers, so they will be hoping that he will be given the green light to play. If not, the Oilers’ bottom six will have a different look and need to adjust.

In two games this postseason for the Oilers, Dickinson has two goals, one assist, three points, and a plus-2 rating. This is after he had one goal and four points in 17 games with the Oilers after being acquired from the Chicago Blackhawks ahead of the 2026 NHL trade deadline. Before the move, he had six goals and 13 points in 47 games with the Blackhawks this campaign.