POST-GAME. Kane is a force against Kraken when he returns from injury

EDMONTON, AB Kaner, it’s great to have you back.

Even though he has made his long-awaited, much-anticipated return to the Oilers lineup following a 10 week absence due to a serious wrist injury that left him with severe wrist pain, Evander Kane On Tuesday night, Edmonton’s win streak extended to four games after a victory over Seattle Kraken (5-2) on Tuesday night.

Kane’s intangibles are not only the attitude, expectation, and swagger that the Oilers and Oil Country will miss so much.

Kane said about his wrist post-game, “It felt fine.” “No problems tonight, other than my finish.”

“I suppose I shouldn’t expect too much but, yeah, we had some looks. The team performed well. We were able to get two points against an extremely good team.

Video: POST-RAW | Evander Kane 01.17.23

He was able to take advantage of the opportunities and chances that presented themselves all night. He had three high-danger scoring chances, seven shots and five hits. The rest of his 17:09 of ice-time — 3:12 of which was split between penalty kill and power play — was a blessing in disguise. Only Warren Foegele Kane was able to make more high-danger shots than Kane (four), while Kane’s shots were and hit were team-highs.

Jay Woodcroft, the Head Coach, rushed Jay to throw the 31-year-old back into the action and was amazed post-game by the energy and effort the dynamic winger was capable of putting forth in Tuesday’s win. Jay hadn’t had any competitive game action in over two months.

Jay Woodcroft, Head coach of the Hockey Academy, stated that he felt that he played a great game tonight. “I mean, you look at his shots, you look at his finished checks, you look at his time on ice for somebody that’s missed that amount of hockey, and to step right into when we’re in mid-season form… he makes us a better team.”

“He slots people in just the right kinds of slots. He was a great player and I used him in all aspects of the game. He was short-handed and played on the power-play. I thought that was a great start for him to get back into that game.

Video: POST-RAW Jay Woodcroft 01.17.23| Jay Woodcroft 01.17.23

For Zach HymanAfter playing like Kane after two months, it didn’t seem like Kane was slipping up.

Hyman stated that his teammate was difficult to come back from, having missed at least 30 games over the past two-and a half months. “He returned sooner than I thought everyone expected. He worked hard and didn’t look at any other place. He was himself.”

Kane may rue some of his missed opportunities, but what Kane enjoyed most about the win was his team’s success at five-on-5 after Edmonton’s goals were at even strength. The defence also stifled the Kraken’s offensive chances.

He said, “We knew that they were a team scoring a lot five on five.” They lead the league so I think they are leading the league. Limiting their chances and then clearly outplaying them at their end and being able put some by their goalie was a positive for the team, especially here at home ice, I believe.”

Video: POST-RAW | Zach Hyman 01.17.23

The 31-year-old said Monday that he was coming back with no excuses after spending 31 games out of the lineup with a cut wrist sustained in the second period of a 3-2 win on Nov. 8 over the Tampa Bay Lightning, who represent the Oilers next opponent when the Blue & Orange try to make it five in a row on Thursday night at Rogers Place.

Kane was able to exercise, skate, and improve his physical condition while also rehabbing his wrist. Kane felt that he is in a better place now than when he first joined the Oilers as an unpaid agent.

He stated, “It’s a fact, I feel a lot better tonight than last year when I came to here for my first match.”

“Looking forward for Thursday night.”