EDMONTON — There are indications Connor McDavid could perhaps return to Edmonton Oilers alignment following an injury earlier than initially expected.

McDavid took part in his first on-ice session with his teammates on Monday – an optional practice before a game against the New Jersey Devils — since he supported an ankle injury a week ago.

“It feels good,” McDavid said. “It doesn’t limit me much on the ice. I’m happy with how I feel.

“When it first happens, you worry that maybe it’s something a little more serious. Fortunately, I got some good news about this. I did everything I could to make it feel better. I don’t sit around waiting for things to get better.

McDavid left Monday’s 6-1 loss at Columbus shortly after being tripped Blue jackets defender Zach Werenski and crashed against the boards. He was limited to 37 seconds of action and returned to Edmonton for further evaluation the following day.

On Wednesday, the Oilers announced that McDavid expected to miss between two and three weeks. The shorter end of this period would see McDavid return next Tuesday when the Oilers host the New York Islanders.

McDavid will not play in Monday’s game against the Devils, but he is not ruled out on Wednesday against the Devils. Vegas Golden Knights or Saturday’s road contest against the Vancouver Canucks.

“I hope it will be sooner than expected,” said coach Kris Knoblauch. “Tonight, no. Day to day. Maybe a week.

The Oilers are 2-0 without McDavid thanks to wins in Nashville and Calgary, which improved them to 6-5-1 on the season.

Leon Draisaitl was the offensive catalyst. The 2020 Hart and Art Ross winner recorded back-to-back three-point games – three goals and three assists. Draisaitl had a hand in six of the nine goals scored by the Oilers over the two games.

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“He’s such a great player. It doesn’t get enough credit as it is,” McDavid said. “It’s great to see him doing so well and helping the team win some games.”

“I saw Leon really step up,” Knoblauch said. “He played extremely well in both games. He was our best player. Offensively, we were pretty good everywhere.

“Our game needs to be simplified and get more shots on net and circulation and protect the puck a little more in the offensive zone rather than just being a one-and-done play where you’re looking for that shot – that pass to the slot and that he’s not there, he’s eliminated and now you have to defend yourself.

Even with the two victories and the offensive increase, the Oilers remain one of the lowest scoring teams in the NHL. They have 31 goals in 12 games, a rate of 2.58 per game that puts them fifth from bottom heading into Monday’s action.

They reshuffled the programming with Ryan Nugent-Hopkins in the center between Zach Hyman And Jeff Skinner. Defender Mattias Ekholm took McDavid’s place during a power play that had struggled. Knoblauch said putting two defenders on the first unit streamlined things and helped develop more of a shooting mentality.

Still, there’s no doubt the Oilers could use McDavid ASAP.

“We’ll take it day by day and we’ll see,” McDavid said. “I felt good there. We’ll see how he reacts and go from there.

(Photo: Brian Bradshaw Sevald / Imagn Images)