Evander Kane could be one of the biggest x-factors for the Edmonton Oilers in the Stanley Cup Final.
EDMONTON -- Evander Kane better rest up.
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Starting on Saturday the Edmonton Oilers will play the Florida Panthers for the privilege to hoist the Stanley Cup over their heads. In order for the Oilers to do that, they are going to need Kane at his best.
Kane needs to be dialed in - throwing hits and chucking fists. He is at his best when he is engaged, and that needs to happen from the first opening buzzer to the last final horn.
Two years ago, Kane went toe-to-toe with Matthew Tkachuk. He effectively neutralized him in that series. If Kane can accomplish that again, it puts the Oilers in a fantastic position.
This was a topic of discussion on the 32 Thoughts podcast. In the episode that was published earlier today Elliotte Friedman sets the scene, "in the aftermath of that Edmonton - Calgary series, they [Oilers] felt he took Tkachuk out of the series.
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RFFJCkRZG_c[/embed]
"Remember, Tkachuk made that sign at him [Kane]. I remember the Oilers said that was a really bad idea."
If Tkachuk wants to go down this road, Kane is more than happy to oblige. His physicality is an element that will be vital against the fast-paced and hard-hitting style of the Panthers.
The biggest question for Kane right now is his health. Can he recover from the injury he suffered last night in time for Saturday's opening game? Kris Knoblauch appeared optimistic about the chances of that happening during his media scrum last night.
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QC-rwB2Y0-o[/embed]
One way or another, Kane will need to get back to playing Evander-Kane-style hockey. He is a force of nature when he is at his best.
In order to beat the Panthers, the Oilers will need everyone at their best.
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