And Daniel Nugent-Bowman of The Athletic reported: “Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch said he expects winger Evander Kane to be ready to start the Stanley Cup Final. Kane played just 4:39 in Game 6 vs. DAL because of an injury. He’s been playing through a sports hernia.”

My take

1. Edmonton has so far beaten and bested each playoff opponent at their own game. If they’re to do that against Florida, Kane is key.

Edmonton was more patient and disciplined than the patient and disciplined Los Angeles Kings. The Oilers were were every bit as tough and hard-working as the tough and hard-working Vancouver Canucks. Against Dallas, a team renowned for its goaltending, depth and defence, Edmonton had the better goaltending, depth and defence.

Florida is know for its high pace and all-out aggressive forechecking. Kane leads the way for the Oilers when it comes to all-out aggressive forechecking. He tormented Drew Doughty of Los Angeles and Quinn Hughes of Vancouver with brutal hits. He also made a non-factor of the physical menace of gigantic Canucks d-man Nikita Zadorov by repeatedly going after the big man with heavy hits. In a battle of on-ice apex predators, Kane held his own