Edmonton Oilers' Evander Kane has recently silenced his critics in a humorous yet impactful manner. A clip from a public interview with Kane and Zach Hyman, shared by the Spittin Chiclets Twitter account, captured Kane's witty response to questions about his playoff performance.
When asked what brings out his best hockey during this time of year, Kane jokingly credited the drama of the game for bringing out his top form.
"Just the drama of it all just brings the best out of me." Kane simply said,
In Game 3 against the Kings, Kane's performance spoke volumes. He notched a goal on four shots, assisted another, accumulated 15 penalty minutes, and logged three hits in a decisive 6-1 win. Kane's contribution included a classic Gordie Howe hat trick, showcasing his ability to excel in offense and physicality.
Despite a sports hernia sidelining him for three games, Kane's return to the playoffs has been impactful.
Evander Kane confronts referees after a dirty hit
Evander Kane, known for his physical presence, finished sixth in hits during the regular season with 250. In the postseason, he maintained his aggressive style, recording 11 hits in three games. However, his strong play has made him a target, as proven by repeated hits by the Los Angeles Kings.
One particularly egregious incident saw Blake Lizotte slew foot the Oilers player, a move deemed dirty and potentially dangerous. Kane confronted the referees about the play, which later resulted in penalties for the Kings after Kane was checked in the head.
Andreas Englund received an additional penalty for fighting Kane. Game 4 is scheduled for Sunday night.
Evander Kane and Oilers 6-1 victory over Los Angeles Kings
In Game 3 of the NHL playoff series between the Edmonton Oilers and the Los Angeles Kings, the Oilers dominated with a 6-1 victory, taking a 2-1 series lead.
Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl continued to shine, each tallying three points. Zach Hyman extended his hot streak with two goals, making him the third player in 25 years to score in Edmonton's first three postseason games.
Draisaitl made history as the quickest player to reach 20 career road playoff goals. The Oilers made the most of their power play opportunities, scoring three goals. Evander Kane scored a goal and an assist, completing a rare postseason Gordie Howe hat trick.
Despite Drew Doughty scoring for the Kings, Edmonton maintained control. Kings' coach Jim Hiller attributed their loss to a lack of early forechecking and the Oilers' effective power play. Anze Kopitar set a franchise record for most playoff games played by a Kings player.