Oilers reveal final health update on Trent Frederic and Evander Kane before Game 1 of playoffs
Photo credit: Imagn Images
The Edmonton Oilers have taken to the ice for their final full practice before their playoff series begins tomorrow, and both Trent Frederic and Evander Kane project to miss the first game.
Both forwards have been considered to be questionable for Game 1 for some time now, but today's practice surely projects them to start the series out of the lineup.
Oilers take practice with Trent Frederic and Evander Kane marked in extra jerseys
According to Oilers reporters at practice this morning, both Frederic and Kane are wearing grey jerseys, reserved for extras who are not projected to play.
After practice, Coach Knoblauch confirmed that Evander Kane will not play Game 1, but Frederic is still a possibility.
It's very possible that the Oilers are just playing mind games with the Kings over their projected lineup - and both players could get into Game 1. However, given the length and severity of both injuries, that seems unlikely.
At last practice, Trent Frederic was wearing a blue jersey and skating as an extra. Being bumped down to the grey, and being held out of line rushes again, make it seem like he's been ruled out.
It's surely a positive sign that some other players were reportedly in grey jerseys. Leon Draisaitl, Zach Hyman, and Jake Walman all missed a few weeks to end the season, but are all expected to make their return for Gamd 1.
Trent Frederic and Evander Kane ruled out of Oilers Game 1 lineup
Without Frederic and Kane for Game 1, the Oilers forward group won't be at their full potential - but they will surely be good enough to still best the Los Angeles Kings.
In addition, the Oilers lines today were the exact same as yesterday, with the exception of fluid defence pairings - which absolutely looks like gamesmanship from coach Knoblauch.
The Oilers will have to rally as the underdogs to get a win in this series, and their team is certainly up for the task, even while battling significant injuries.
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AVRIL 20 | 692 ANSWERS Oilers reveal final health update on Trent Frederic and Evander Kane before Game 1 of playoffs Do you think the Trent Frederic trade is already a failure? | ||
| Yes | 418 | 60.4 % |
| No | 274 | 39.6 % |
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