A frightening incident occurred during the third period at Rogers Place on Sunday night. St. Louis Blues forward Oskar Sundqvist collided with Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid along the boards. What initially seemed like routine contact quickly turned alarming.
Immediate Medical Response Required
Sundqvist remained on the ice clutching his left leg after the collision. Teammates and officials immediately signaled for medical assistance as the severity became apparent. The forward needed help getting off the ice and went straight to the locker room.
The injury resulted from McDavid's skate blade cutting Sundqvist just above the ankle during their entanglement. Oilers fans showed respect by giving Sundqvist an ovation as trainers assisted him off the playing surface.
Coach Provides Crucial Update
Blues head coach Jim Montgomery addressed the injury after Edmonton's 5-0 victory. He offered significant relief despite the concerning situation. Montgomery confirmed the skate did not damage Sundqvist's Achilles tendon.
"Luckily, it did not touch his Achilles," Montgomery told reporters following the game. However, he emphasized the injury remains serious with an uncertain recovery timeline.
"The cut was deep," Montgomery stated. "I don't know how long it takes until he's back and has the flexibility in his ankle."
Recovery Timeline and Team Impact
Montgomery listed Sundqvist as day-to-day, but the depth of the cut suggests potential extended absence. Recovery depends on wound healing and regaining full ankle mobility.
The 31-year-old center plays a crucial role for St. Louis as a bottom-six forward. Sundqvist has appeared in 39 games this season, recording three goals and ten assists. He provides veteran leadership and defensive responsibility that the Blues will miss during his recovery.
St. Louis must adjust their forward depth while Sundqvist heals. The Blues dropped to 19-22-4 with the loss, placing them seventh in the Central Division.
Game Context and Aftermath
The injury capped a difficult night for St. Louis, who suffered a 5-0 shutout against Edmonton. Connor Ingram stopped all 27 shots for his first shutout as an Oiler.
For Edmonton, the victory marked their second consecutive shutout. Zach Hyman starred with three points, while McDavid added two assists to maintain his league points leadership.
The Oilers will face the New Jersey Devils on Tuesday night, hoping to secure their first three-game winning streak of the season.
