Nugent-Hopkins was absent from yesterday's practice while dealing with an illness, and Evander Kane took his part in practice only as a placeholder. Kane has been dealing with a hernia and likely a few other injuries through the playoffs, and coach Knoblauch spoke honestly about needing a healthier player in the lineup.
It's extremely unfortunate for Kane and the Oilers that he's not healthy enough to play in the biggest game of this Oilers era, but Knoblauch is correct to play his healthiest and best lineup possible. Kane was still physical and laying hits while playing through injury, but he lacked his speed and was held to 1 point in his last 9 games.
Not only that, but Knoblauch would have to be hard-pressed to deviate from the lines the Oilers have played the last three games. The team is playing their best hockey of the year with their backs against the wall, and it would be completely unfair to make a change to the current lineup. It shouldn't matter anyway - if the Oilers win tonight, Kane will get his ring.
Tonight's Game 7 has the potential to be one of the most significant NHL games in recent history. If McDavid and the Oilers can pull off the comeback in this series, they'll be applauded as one of the greatest Cup Champion stories in NHL history. The comeback has only happened once before in 1942, but Connor McDavid's Oilers are used to making records.
