The Edmonton Oilers are on the verge of one of the greatest comebacks in NHL playoff history. After initially going 2-0 down in their playoff series against the Los Angeles Kings, the Oilers roared back with three straight wins to take a 3-2 lead going into Game 6 of the first-round series.
Edmonton may have had a slow start to the postseason, but their players have found great form just in time.
Oilers Coach Kris Knoblauch Discusses Evander Kane’s Impact
Oilers’ combative left wing Evander Kane spent the entire regular season recovering from multiple surgeries. He made his season debut in Game 2 and played a crucial role in the Oilers’ first win of the series, scoring a goal in the 7-4 triumph in Game 3.
Speaking to reporters during a press conference ahead of Game 6 on Thursday, May 1, Edmonton coach Kris Knoblauch lauded Kane’s impact on the team lineup.
“I think it certainly helps our team, the way Evander’s playing, and it gives us a lot more options. And I am pleasantly surprised at how well he’s played so quickly,” Knoblauch said.
“I know he’s a tremendous hockey player, and even the best players take a while to get going and play their best after 10 months off. Evander has done an exceptional job on finding his game and contributing with a couple key goals in this series, another assist, and a ton of physicality.”
Analysts had pointed to the Oilers’ reliance on star forwards Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl during the regular season, with the team only managing one win out of four games when both players were out injured. During the media session, Knoblauch stated that Kane’s addition to the forward lines allows the management greater flexibility and strategic depth.
“So you know, it’s nice that he’s [Kane’s] been bringing it. I’m not necessarily concerned, or just saying that because of his play, Connor and Leon can play together. But it does help that now we’ve got a very strong line if we do separate those guys,” Knoblauch said.
Los Angeles, which started the series brightly with two wins on home ice, is now on the verge of losing to the Oilers for the fourth straight season in the playoffs. After their 3-1 loss in Game 5, Los Angeles coach Jim Hiller did not shy away from talking about the disparity between the two sides.
“What’s the explanation? They executed way better than us tonight, that’s the first one,” Hiller said via NHL.com. “They were stronger. They beat us in every area of the game, except for the special teams, oddly enough. The goaltender was great for us to give us a chance. They were just better in every way, and we can’t look at one part of our game and think that was acceptable or that it was good enough.”
