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If you have Evander Kane in your hockey pool, you’re dealing with a considerable amount of uncertainty right now after he missed the last three games of the regular season and Saturday’s practice.
So imagine how the Edmonton Oilers feel with their series against the L.A. Kings starting Monday night. Kane is a monster ingredient against a heavy Los Angeles team that loves to test its opponents physically.
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They need him, and while Kane and his coach both expect he’ll be in the lineup, it remains to be seen at what speed. Kane revealed Sunday that he’s been dealing with a sports hernia all season and it flared up at the worst time.
“I’m always wanting to play and stay in the lineup but I got home the other day from Vancouver (April 13) and really didn’t feel good so I thought I’d take some time off before the playoffs,” said the bruising winger, who potted 24 goals this season and hits like nobody else on the team.
“It’s been flaring all year. It’s one of those things that just requires time away from skating. Anyone who’s had that type of injury understands it’s more about skating and quickness and agility, which I wasn’t really aware of until I dealt with it.”
This is Kane’s time of year. While the regular season goals per game total sagged this season, everyone knows this is when his value is truly measured. So the coaching staff will be watching his progress very closely, crossing their fingers that he can still be Evander Kane.
“Obviously if you have Evander able to play and he’s healthy you want him in the lineup,” said head coach Kris Knoblauch. “Evander is a competitor, a guy that you want in the playoffs, a physical presence. Twenty-some goals with not being 100 per cent. How are we not going to use that to our advantage?”
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They have him pencilled in on the fourth line, but Knoblauch says that is subject to change depending on how the first few shifts go.
“Right now, cautiously, we’re putting him in a bit of a role, but after five or 10 minutes of the first game that’s probably going to change.
“He’s been on the ice for a while now and we want to make sure he’s ready to go. We have a lot of guys playing well right now and we’re taking somebody out, which is going to be tough.”
Having Dylan Holloway at their disposal certainly helps with the situation. He is also a burly player with speed enough to get to his hits and he’s willing to do whatever it takes to stay in the lineup and make a difference. His playing left wing with Ryan McLeod and Corey Perry doesn’t take anything away from the third line’s identity.
“Lots of confidence, lots of really good hockey,” said Leon Draisaitl. “Exactly what you want from a kid coming up. You want him to make the coach really uncomfortable in making a decision and he’s doing that. He’s played three or four games and he’s been fantastic in all of them.”
It gives the coaching staff some options, which is vital at this time of the year.
“The way Dylan is playing does give us some flexibility on our lines,” said Knoblauch. “He’s been playing outstanding with his energy and tenacity and being able to break up plays with his forechecking and being able to contribute offensively. That’s a nice addition to our team right now.”
E-mail: rtychkowski@postmedia.com
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