Even If Evander Kane Is Available, Should The Oilers Put Him In?
Word out of practice today is that Evander Kane is a game time decision for the Oilers. If he can go tonight, should he?
While the Edmonton Oilers have been battling back in the Stanley Cup Finals, Evander Kane has been healing hoping the get back to game action. It now appears that may be the case tonight as head coach, Kris Knoblauch, has told the media that Kane will be a game time decision. If Kane is good to go another question arises from this case. Should he even be inserted in the lineup if he is good to go?
Why Should Kane Not Play?
While you might think that no matter who they are you should always have your best players in the lineup no matter what is going on, for the Oilers that might not be the case. In the past couple of games with no Kane in the lineup, the Oilers have been undoubtedly the better team.
Putting in Kane not only would cause a player to come out, but it could also mess with the winning chemistry that has been built these last 2 games for the Oilers. The way the Oilers have handled the Florida Panthers the last 2 games I wouldn't mess with anything even if it does mean not putting Kane back into the lineup.
Why Should Kane Play?
To counter the point above, you always want to ice the best possible roster you can. If a team is having success adding more skills can only make it better. Chemistry or not, you have the best chance to win when you have your best players in the lineup. Kane is the type of player who can swing the momentum of a game if things aren't going the Oilers way.
Whether it be a big hit or starting a scrum, Kane plays the game on the line. A line that not many other Oilers float around, so if this game gets spicy the Oilers are going to want to have a player like Kane out on the ice. Not only can he mix it up, but he also has the ability to score and has done so in the playoffs before and at the end of the day all that matters is goals.
Next. Athletic mock draft has Oilers making high risk/reward pick in 2nd round. Athletic mock draft has Oilers making high risk/reward pick in 2nd round. dark
If it was up to me, I wouldn't put in Kane unless he is at 100%. Since I highly doubt that he is at 100%, I do not expect him to be in the lineup tonight. Plus, the way the Oilers are playing as of late it isn't needed to bring him in. Right now the Oilers have the momentum, so they don't need a player to bring momentum the Oilers way.
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