Evander Kane absent from Oilers practice with injury before playoffs

As the Edmonton Oilers took the ice for practice for the first time in the playoffs, only the health of the team is the paramount concern.

Evander Kane and Mattias Janmark were both absent from practice today, likely just taking a maintenance day for some nagging injuries.


Kane in particular has been clearly dealing with several nagging injuries through this season. A few times this season Kane has been scratched with it framed as maintenance for nagging injuries. Specifically, at points this season Kane has been believed to be playing through injuries to his wrist and groin.


In the back half of the season, Kane clearly wasn't the same player that the Oilers are relying on him to be to make an impact in the playoffs. He was mired in a 21 game goalless drought from February to April, but able to pick it back up in the last few weeks of the season with 5 points in his last 5 games. Kane was seen in a few heated arguments on the bench in the last weeks of the season, with his teammates seemingly demanding more from him - knowing that Kane can be an impact player in the playoffs.


With Sam Gagner and Dylan Holloway on the roster for depth in the playoffs, the team still does have insurance in case he really can't go. Hopefully with this bit of rest, Kane can feel closer to 100% when he re-enters the lineup in game one. Even though he's missing practice, there's no doubt he's going to play in the playoffs. It's that time of year.