With their season hanging in the balance, the Edmonton Oilers head into Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final trailing 3-2 in the series after losing 5-2 in Game 5 to the Florida Panthers. While most of the attention naturally falls on Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, there’s another name NHL insiders say could make or break the Oilers’ hopes: Evander Kane.
Former NHL goaltender Martin Biron recently weighed in, emphasizing that Kane’s presence in the lineup, beyond the top stars, has been one of the keys to Edmonton’s postseason depth. But Kane’s performance in the last few games has raised concerns, especially after taking multiple penalties and being dropped to the fourth line.
Evander Kane Vital in Oilers’ Fight to Stay Alive in Stanley Cup Final
Former NHL goalie and analyst Martin Biron didn’t hold back in assessing Kane’s impact, or lack thereof, in recent games. On the First Up podcast, he highlighted Kane’s importance to the team but warned that his undisciplined play could be the Oilers’ downfall.
“Other than McDavid, the key to the depth of the Oilers has been Evander Kane,” Biron said. “And now, Kane, in Games 3, 4, and 5, maybe he decided, ‘I’m going to be undisciplined, I’m going to take penalties.’ Kris Knoblauch is like ‘Well, I’m going to put him on the fourth line.’ If Evander Kane doesn’t play the way you need him to, you’re not going anywhere.”
Martin Biron labels Evander Kane as Edmonton’s secret weapon behind McDavid in Stanley Cup quest https://t.co/myS39NhjZE
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Biron also noted how much Kane’s presence had previously transformed the Oilers’ depth.
“I feel like this team was a lot different in the playoffs with Kane compared to the regular season. I didn’t think they had the depth during the regular season, and then all of a sudden, he came back, and it’s like, oh, look, the Oilers have depth.”
Kane’s contract, four years at $20.5 million, reflects the high expectations placed on him. After undergoing surgery for two hernias, hip adductor tears, and lower abdominal injuries in September, followed by arthroscopic knee surgery in January, his return was seen as a spark for Edmonton. And for a while, it worked. His physical edge and ability to score were key.
But as the series progressed, his penalty minutes and inconsistency became liabilities. Coach Kris Knoblauch’s decision to demote Kane to the fourth line in recent games sends a clear message: the team needs discipline and smart play, especially from its leaders.
Now, with Game 6 looming, the spotlight is once again on Kane. If he can find his form and play the way the Oilers need him to, physical, smart, and focused, he could help extend the series to a Game 7. If not, Edmonton’s Stanley Cup dreams may once again end in heartbreak.
