Chances are ‘good’ for Oilers’ Evander Kane’s Stanley Cup Final return

Edmonton Oilers forward Evander Kane has not played in the past three games of the 2024 Stanley Cup Final. After sustaining or aggravating an injury in the Western Conference Final, Kane has missed Games 3, 4 and 5 of the Final against the Florida Panthers.

But some good news came across on Monday for the Edmonton Oilers, as coach Kris Knoblauch seemed confident that Kane would be able to return during this series.

Question: “What are the chances Evander Kane plays again in this series?”

Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch: “It’s good.”

— Daniel Nugent-Bowman (@DNBsports) June 17, 2024

Kane has not played since Game 2 on June 10, when he was minus-3 in only 10:33 of ice time during a 4-1 loss. He played 15:22 in Game 1 of the Final but only 4:39 in the Oilers’ clinching Game 6 against the Dallas Stars in the Conference Final.

Kane has eight points (four goals, four assists) in 20 playoff games.

Prior to the playoffs, Kane confirmed that he had suffered a sports hernia that he played through during the regular season. Despite that, he had a pretty big role in the first 20 games of the Stanley Cup Playoffs and was important in Edmonton’s series wins over the Los Angeles Kings, Vancouver Canucks and Stars.

Kane could provide a huge boost for the Oilers if he is able to return to the lineup. With Edmonton trailing 3-1 in the series, it would be key for them to add in the veteran for Game 5, or Game 6 if they get that far. Edmonton dropped the first three games of the Final before a decisive 8-1 win to stay alive in Game 4. If Kane can return, he brings a resume with 43 points (26 goals, 17 assists) in 76 career playoff games and plenty of veteran leadership to go along with it.

Could he be the boost Edmonton needs to make this Stanley Cup Final really, really interesting?