The Edmonton Oilers begin their post-all-star-break push for a playoff spot Tuesday night against the Columbus Blue Jackets and will reportedly have standout rookie Connor McDavid back in uniform.
The 19-year-old centre will play his first NHL game since breaking his left collarbone in an awkward end-boards collision in a Nov. 3 game against Philadelphia, TSN's Ryan Rishaug tweeted Monday afternoon.
McDavid, whom the Oilers recalled from their American Hockey League affiliate in Bakersfield, Calif., on Sunday, remains on injured reserve but will probably be activated Tuesday morning.
McDavid had been skating with the Condors since early last week and took "bumps" from AHL players after being cleared for contact.
He told ESPN.com last week that sitting idle wasn't easy.
"It's been really hard," said McDavid, the first overall pick in last June's NHL draft. "But at the same time you understand it's a process. There's hopefully a number of years left to play."
October's best
McDavid, who was named NHL rookie of the month for October and has five goals and 12 points in 13 games, said the support from the Oilers' fan base helped him in his recovery.
"The Oilers fans are so passionate. Just from walking down the street and talking to people I know there, they're excited to have me back," he said.
Edmonton enters Tuesday's game 29th in the 30-team NHL with a 19-26-5 record for 43 points, tied with the last-place Blue Jackets, who are 30th based on the fact they have played one more game (19-27-5).
The Oilers were 5-8-0 at the time of McDavid's injury and have gone 14-18-5 since. They remain 13 points behind 24-18-8 Nashville, which holds the second wild-card playoff spot in the Western Conference.
McDavid believes a playoff berth is a legitimate goal.
"You look at our division, the Pacific, you're never really out of it," he said. "I don't think anyone in our room and our organization feels that it's out of the question."
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