Edmonton Oilers forward Evander Kane has been suspended one game for his hit against Colorado Avalanche forward Nazem Kadri. News of the hearing broke late Sunday morning and the suspension dropped early in the same evening.
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Evander Kane Suspended One Game
The incident happened one minute, four seconds into Game 3 when Kane boarded Kadri. Kane was given a five-minute major a 1, but not a 10-minute game misconduct for the hit. He also could have been given a match penalty if there was a deliberate intent to injure, but the refs decided against that.
Colorado head coach Jared Bednar said that Kadri has been ruled out for the rest of the Western Conference Final. Bednar added that the second-line centre could also be out into the Stanley Cup Final. The Avalanche did win the game, 4-2, after a pair of third-period goals.
Kane has had run-ins with the Department of Player Safety after getting fine $5,000 for kneeing the Los Angeles Kings Sean Durzi. He was last suspended three games in Feb. 2020 for elbowing Winnipeg Jets defenceman Neal Pionk.
The veteran forward served a 21-game suspension earlier in the season for violating the league’s COVID-19 protocol. However, that suspension will not factor into any supplemental discipline.
Kane scored 22 goals in 43 games with the Oilers after having been waived by the San Jose Sharks.
What It Means
The suspension means that the Oilers will be down another vital forward as they try to stave off an Avalanche sweep. Edmonton has struggled to score against Colorado and losing Kane is a big blow.
It doesn’t help that Oilers’ players Leon Draisaitl and Darnell Nurse seem to be hindered by injuries. Kane played a big hand in the Oilers reaching the conference final, but he won’t be available for the win-or-go-home Game 4. His 13 goals have helped take the pressure off Connor McDavid and Draisaitl, but his offence won’t be available for the next game.
