Evander Kane has been a Kings killer since joining the Edmonton Oilers
It’s yet to be confirmed, but there are plenty of signs suggesting Evander Kane will be in the Edmonton Oilers lineup for the opening game of the playoffs.
The 33-year-old has yet to play this season after undergoing abdominal surgery in September. It was a major procedure in order to help repair two torn hip abductor muscles, two hernias, and two torn lower abdominal muscles. The recovery was always expected to be a lengthy process, though he appears to be nearing a return.
Not having Kane in the lineup has impacted the Oilers. His physicality was missed in a big way, as the team ranked dead last in hits this season. Perhaps even more importantly, however, was that they lacked the secondary scoring he provided on a regular basis through his first three seasons with the organization.
What Kane has also done is score goals in bunches versus the Kings in the postseason, a team that the Oilers will be facing off against in the first round for the fourth-straight year.
In 18 playoff games against the Kings while donning an Oilers sweater, the rugged winger has found the back of the net 12 times. If he can produce anywhere close to that level this time around, it would greatly help a team that has not only scored to get secondary scoring in 2024-25, but has been ravaged by injuries as of late.
While playoffs are often the time when injuries accumulate, the Oilers may actually be able to get healthier as they go. They are expected to be without Mattias Ekholm for the first round, and Leon Draisaitl, Trent Frederic, and Jake Walman continue to remain out of the lineup. All are supposed to be closing in on returns, but may still need another week or two to be back to full health.
Having Kane step up and help lead the Oilers through the first round could be enough for them to get back firing on all cylinders for what they hope will be another long playoff run. Of course, knocking off the Kings in the opening round will be no easy feat, but if Kane is healthy and playing up to the level he’s proven capable of, they may very well advance past the first round for the fourth-straight year.
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