Edmonton Oilers set to lose top six forward for game 3 with injury

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Liam McCormick
June 13, 2024 (4:07 PM)

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Evander Kane has been battling through injuries all throughout the playoffs, and in game 3 tonight it looks like Kane may be taken out of the lineup.

Coach Knoblauch said we would have to wait and find out during warmups for the starting lineup, but one hour ago the Oilers published a projected lineup.

Nugent-Hopkins - McDavid - Hyman McLeod - Draisaitl - Holloway Janmark - Henrique - Brown Foegele - Ryan - Perry

Ekholm - Bouchard Nurse - Desharnais Kulak - Broberg

Kane has been playing through sports hernia during the playoffs, and likely has sustained more injuries along the way. Knoblauch spoke recently explaining that if they have another player closer to 100% health that can contribute more than Kane, then he will be out of the lineup.

»That's most of the conversations we're having with our medical staff, our doctor . . . We take that information and then we think about if he's running at 75 percent, do we have another guy who's 100 percent? And then we make those decisions.»
- Coach Knoblauch

In this case, it seems to be Corey Perry who is the player closer to 100% health and who could contribute more than Evander Kane while seriously injured. Perry himself can bring a lot to the fourth line when he's playing his best game, and has countless experience in Stanley Cup Final situations.

Losing Evander Kane is a tough blow for the Oilers in a heated physical series against the Panthers. Through most of this playoffs, Kane hasn't been the power forward scoring threat that he can be. With only 1 assist in his last 9 playoff games, it's time the Oilers dress a healthier player.

Going down 3-0 tonight with a loss in Edmonton would almost certainly stomp out any chance for an Oilers comeback, but it's impossible to count this team out. Tonight's still nearly a must-win game if Edmonton wants to get back into this series.

Source: Edmonton Oilers

Projected Lineup

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Do you think this is mind games from the Oilers, and Kane really will play through injury again tonight?
Yes, it's just mind games, Kane will play	100	34.4 %
No, Kane needs to be scratched, he's too hurt	182	62.5 %
See Results	9	3.1 %
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