As Oilers face elimination, Knoblauch remains silent on Evander Kane status

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When asked whether Evander Kane, injured or not, would play Saturday in what could be the Edmonton Oilers’ final game of the season, head coach Kris Knoblauch, normally available, chose not to answer. no questions about alignment.

Knoblauch did not follow the lead of former head coach Jay Woodcroft, whose favorite playoff saying was, “You’ll see what comes out of the gate” when asked who was in and who was out. eliminated.

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This time, Knoblauch chose not to answer Kane’s question.

There is nothing to save Kane.

If he’s gone every day, they’re running out of days, right?

“Things are a little different, there’s a little more at stake,” said Knoblauch, who had no trouble earlier in the playoffs telling people that Stu Skinner was out for Calvin Pickard, or that Corey Perry was healthy, or Cody Ceci. took place. But not now.

“In the regular season, there’s not a lot of reason to hide, uh, keep anything a secret,” Knoblauch said with a small smile.

“The playoffs are a little different. I’ll have to keep you waiting.

Kane, who was scratched for the first time in the playoffs in Game 3 on Thursday, has been playing with a long-term sports hernia, and perhaps something else after checking out Alex Petrovic in the Dallas series. He was on the ice Wednesday for the team’s practice, which is rare for a guy who usually takes an “interview day.” But after a conversation with Knoblauch near the boards, he left the ice.

He did not skate Friday, as did Darnell Nurse (hip).

The team had an optional practice Saturday morning.

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This session was also banned for Kane, who could be on Leon Draisaitl’s wing if he played.

Defenseman Vinny Desharnais took optional training, a sign he will likely be out again with Ceci on the third pairing with Brett Kulak. There was also speculation that Sam Gagner, who hasn’t played in two months, might get a chance. But that seems doubtful. He also skated with the extras on Saturday morning.

After Friday’s practice, Draisaitl will be joined by Warren Foegele and Perry.

The Oilers remain confident they can win a game and not be the first team swept in the Stanley Cup Final since Detroit did it against Washington in 1998. They are 20-20 in career games playoffs, and 2-0 this season, with the two victories against Vancouver in the second round.

This could be Perry’s final game, Game 212 of his postseason career, which ranks 16th all-time.

He’s 39 years old and still looking for his first post-season goal with the Oilers in 15 games.

“Am I enjoying this?” Well, obviously, yeah. I’m getting older, time is running out,” Perry said.

“Like I said, I won when I was 22 (Anaheim), 17 years ago now, but you can’t take things for granted. You have to put everything on the line. You may never come back, you will never have this chance again. I really believe it.

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