This fall, the Oilers played centres Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl an average of 22 minutes per game from October through December. It was a slight increase in usage compared to the same period in the previous season. That’s a lot of hockey, which brings worry over fatigue and lower performance levels as the team chugs toward the postseason.

Connor McDavid returned to the Edmonton Oilers lineup against the Seattle Kraken after serving a three-game suspension for cross-checking Vancouver Canucks forward Conor Garland in the helmet Jan. 18.