Tensions are running high in Edmonton as the Stanley Cup Final reaches a critical juncture, and all eyes are now on Evander Kane’s status heading into Game 5. The Oilers, desperate to avoid costly mistakes, are facing tough decisions after a string of early penalties has put the team on its heels.

Coach Kris Knoblauch, typically measured in his comments, has made no secret of his frustration with undisciplined play, singling out high-sticking infractions that have repeatedly set the Oilers back. As speculation swirls about potential lineup changes, the spotlight is firmly on Kane, whose aggressive style has both helped and hindered the team. With Edmonton’s championship hopes hanging in the balance, the next move could define not only the series, but the legacy of several key players.

Evander Kane with the Edmonton Oilers

Photo credit: Imagn Images

The usually-calm coach Kris Knoblauch repeatedly stressed how much he hated early penalties, which is leading to the belief Evander Kane could be a healthy scratch in Game 5.

Kane is an aggressive player that plays with an edge, but is seemingly losing control of himself early on. Kane has 5 penalties in first periods alone this series, with two high sticking calls. Last night, it resulted in a brief benching.

Oilers coach Knoblauch directly calls out Kane: «Hates» early penalties

After last night’s game, Knoblauch made it completely clear how strongly he felt about the early penalties, and particularly high sticking calls- he absolutely hates it.

We didn’t get many opportunities, and again to take three penalties in the first period – two high-stickings, which I’m hating – but unfortunately, we needed to change things up.

We’ve just got to control our sticks. The amount of high-sticking penalties we’ve had, I think that’s a big part of it. If we can control our sticks, then we’re not in the box as much as we are.

– Coach Knoblauch

The Oilers coach is right, too. The teams can’t afford to keep taking a ridiculous amount of early penalties, fall into a deficit, and expect to crawl out of it every time. He can’t keep giving chances to Kane if he’s taking more than one early penalty every game.

On top of his frustrating early penalties, Kane hasn’t been too effective in the Cup Final. He scored one critical goal in Game 2, but since then, his likes have squarely lost their minutes.

If Knoblauch is at his wits’ end with Kane’s penalties and isn’t happy with what his likes is bringing on the ice, the Oilers have options to insert Viktor Arvidsson into the lineup, or go with 11 forwards and 7 defenceman.

Edmonton surely wants to keep Kane’s toughness in the lineup, but if they’re fed up with the penalties and have already had a discussion with him, it could be time to make a change.