Edmonton Oilers forward Evander Kane, who has been attacked on the wrist since the start of the playoffs, has denied his teammates used a similar tactic at the expense of the Vegas Golden Knights’ Mark Stone, who is still recovering from a back injury.
Kane suffered a horrific injury earlier in the season when Pat Maroon accidentally injured his wrist. Since then, he’s been wearing extra protection during games, which may save him from another injury.
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“In the series against the Los Angeles Kings, during the faceoffs, as soon as the puck hit the ice, they shot my wrist, it took off to the Sportsnet network. I said to the referee: It happens all the time.
No mercy for Stein
A similar situation occurred with the Golden Knights. Video footage was released early in the series of veteran Stone playing just 43 games in 2022-23 due to a back injury. The 30-year-old forward can be seen tumbling off the ice after training.
“We saw her [la vidéo], confessed Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. But that’s not something we looked at before the game. He’s a big guy who spends a lot of time in front of the net. The only way to hold him down is to use his cane and push him.”
Kane also defended the numerous cross-checks that members of the Oilers made at Stone’s expense.
“If there’s any belief that we’re targeting Mark Stone’s back by giving him cross checks, I disagree and would say we treat him like any other player.”
“In my experience, when you go into the net, you get checked, which doesn’t get penalized, because that’s what happens in a hockey game.”
The Oilers’ approach didn’t really pay off in Game 1, losing 5-4. Don’t think they’ll change their mindset in Saturday’s Game 2 in Vegas, which will be televised on TVA Sports.
“All players have wounds to heal,” Kane concluded. You want to play hard all the time. A video doesn’t change anything. Mark Stone is one of their best players. We’re going to be hard on him.”