'Do I chopper in?': Evander Kane jokes about grand entrance vs Florida Panthers
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Kane caused a stir when he arrived with teammate Connor Brown in a Rolls Royce for Edmonton's first game against the Dallas Stars in Dallas.
Now he's musing about arriving to the big game in a helicopter.
'I did it in Dallas,' Kane said of his Rolls Royce arrival on the Snipes and Stripes podcast with Hall of Fame player Jeremy Roenick and former NHL ref Tim Peel.
'In Game 1, right? I brought Brownie. So I don't know if that's why we lost or what not. So I gassed the Rolls for Game 2. I said, 'I'm getting back on the team bus on the road. 'And we won Game 2, so then we won Game 2, was back on the team bus. So on the road right now, I'm sticking with the bus. Guys were talking like, 'Do I chopper in in Florida? Like, do I chopper in?' So the Rolls is parked until further notice. We're sticking with the Lambo for Game 1 (in Edmonton).'
However, Kane arrives he'll have a hard time beating Oilers Now host Bob Stauffer's entrance to Florida on the tarmac last Stanley Cup Final.
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Winnipeg Free Press
20 minutes ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
From local connections to grizzled vets
No, the 2024-25 NHL season is not finished, even if it might feel that way to many fans. The league didn't do itself any favours by going dark for five nights after the Florida Panthers and then the Edmonton Oilers punched their tickets to the Stanley Cup Final last week. But TV commitments, including stickhandling around the NBA Finals, meant an extended timeout. Good news: The waiting game is now over and the puck will finally drop on Wednesday night inside Rogers Place. It's the first championship rematch in 16 years and this series should be a dandy. These teams have plenty in common. They both finished third in their respective divisions during the regular season, essentially pacing themselves so they'd be ready when the stage got bigger. They've found another gear in the playoffs, winning three straight rounds in which they started on the road. There's no shortage of compelling storylines and reasons to tune in — even for folks around these parts who might have lost interest once the Winnipeg Jets were eliminated from contention last month. Let's dig into a few of the juiciest ones: WOE, CANADA: It has been 32 long years since the Montreal Canadiens defeated the Los Angeles Kings in five games to win the Stanley Cup for the 24th time in franchise history. Since then, the silver chalice has had a zip code rather than a postal code. Is this the year the Canadian championship drought finally ends? The Oilers (2006, 2024), Vancouver Canucks (1994, 2011), Calgary Flames (2004) and Montreal Canadiens (2021) have combined to go zero-for-six in the Final over that span, so hockey history would suggest a team from the Great White North is long overdue. Why not the one led by the game's best current player? Jason Franson / THE CANADIAN PRESS Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid raising the Stanley Cup would mimic Sidney Crosby and Wayne Gretzky's own first Cup wins — meeting the same team in back-to-back Finals and defeating them on their second try. Jason Franson / THE CANADIAN PRESS Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid raising the Stanley Cup would mimic Sidney Crosby and Wayne Gretzky's own first Cup wins — meeting the same team in back-to-back Finals and defeating them on their second try. Connor McDavid raising the trophy to the rafters would be rather fitting considering the way two other NHL mega-stars captured their first Cups. Wayne Gretzky finished as a runner-up in his inaugural bid as his Oilers were swept by the mighty Islanders in 1983. But the 'Great One' would win his first of four titles in 1984 as Edmonton found a way to end the New York dynasty (four straight championships). Sidney Crosby came up short in his first attempt back in 2008 as his Penguins were defeated by the Red Wings. However, the tables were turned the following spring as Pittsburgh downed Detroit in a thrilling seven-game series. 'The Kid' would go on to win two more times, in 2016 and 2017. Look, we get that Canadian hockey fans aren't exactly a united bunch. The majority of Jets supporters, for example, would rather walk on hot coals than cheer for the Oilers. You'll find similar sentiments in every market. But we say it's high time to have a little patriotic puck pride and tell Uncle Sam he can sit this one out for a change. THE LOCAL CONNECTIONS: This series is loaded with local angles, from those with strong Manitoba roots to former members of the Jets, both on the ice and behind the bench. Last spring, former Jets bench boss Paul Maurice finally got his name engraved on Lord Stanley's mug after an exciting Game 7 triumph. Having former Jets associate coach Jamie Kompon beside him for the ride enhanced the experience. There's also some Manitoba flavour on Maurice's coaching staff with video coach Myles Fee, who hails from Dauphin and was once a defenceman on the Dauphin Kings in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League. The Panthers' blue line features Nate Schmidt, who has done an excellent job on the third pairing after the final season of his contract was bought out by the Jets last summer. Schmidt has three goals and seven points and has appeared in all 17 games during the playoffs. Schmidt's most frequent defence partner has been former Jet Dmitry Kulikov, who was on the Jets' third pairing during the run to the Western Conference final in 2018. As for the Oilers, they wouldn't have reached this point without the strong play between the pipes from Winnipegger Calvin Pickard during the first two rounds. Matt Krohn / THE ASSOCIATED PRESS FILES Oilers goaltender and Winnipeg product Calvin Pickard propelled Edmonton's run past the first round after standing tall against the Los Angeles Kings. Matt Krohn / THE ASSOCIATED PRESS FILES Oilers goaltender and Winnipeg product Calvin Pickard propelled Edmonton's run past the first round after standing tall against the Los Angeles Kings. Pickard got the call from Kris Knoblach for Game 3 in the first round and quickly rattled off six victories before suffering a lower-body injury. He returned to the backup role in Game 4 against the Dallas Stars and is on call if his services are required. Former Jets left-winger Evander Kane is having an incredible impact for someone who sat out the entire regular season. With six goals and 11 points in 15 games, Kane sits fifth in team scoring, just behind defenceman Evan Bouchard, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Leon Draisaitl and McDavid. That's impressive stuff and Kane's ability to crash the crease and play a physical game will be essential against Mathew Tkachuk and the Panthers. Former Jets D-man Mark Stuart is an assistant coach with the Oilers and is in charge of a penalty killing unit that's encountered some ups-and-downs, but will be relied on heavily against a Panthers power play that is operating at 23.2 per cent through 17 games. THE GRIZZLED VETERANS: Two of the oldest players in the NHL are four wins away from the second Stanley Cup of their respective careers — and both are playing an important role. Acquiring Brad Marchand from the Boston Bruins just under the wire at the NHL trade deadline was a stroke of genius by Panthers general manager Bill Zito. Marchand, 37, has been a perfect fit for the bruising, yet skilled game the Panthers like to play. Used on the so-called third line with Anton Lundell and Eetu Luostarinen, Marchand has been at his agitating best while chipping in at nearly a point per game pace (with four goals and 14 points in 17 playoff games). He's looking for his first title since winning it all with the Bruins in 2011 in what was his first full season and has been back only once since — losing to the St. Louis Blues in seven games in 2019. John Locher / THE CANADIAN PRESS Edmonton Oilers right wing Corey Perry scores against Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Adin Hill in Game 1 of their second-round playoff series. The 40-year-old winger has seven goals and 10 points in 16 playoff games this spring. John Locher / THE CANADIAN PRESS Edmonton Oilers right wing Corey Perry scores against Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Adin Hill in Game 1 of their second-round playoff series. The 40-year-old winger has seven goals and 10 points in 16 playoff games this spring. For the Oilers, Corey Perry continues to hold off Father Time with his blend of sandpaper and skill. Although his game has evolved from his days as a Hart Trophy and Rocket Richard Trophy winner back in 2011, the 40-year-old winger has seven goals and 10 points in 16 playoff games this spring. That's outstanding production on an Oilers team that's had a number of players step up in the secondary scoring department. Perry, who suited up for Team Canada at the memorable World Junior Hockey Championship in Grand Forks, N.D., back in 2005, is about to play in his sixth Stanley Cup final — and fifth in the past six years. But he hasn't won it all since his first trip with the Anaheim Ducks in 2007. One of these grizzled veterans is going to be a multiple Stanley Cup champion at some point during the next couple of weeks. And don't be surprised if they spend some time in this series getting under one another's skin in between providing important goals for their respective teams. THE GOALIE BATTLE: This will be one of the most fascinating stories of this series. On paper, the Panthers figure to have a decisive edge, since Sergei Bobrovsky is playing even better than he did last spring when he led the Panthers to their first Stanley Cup in franchise history. There's probably nobody who benefited more from the lengthy break than Bobrovsky, who is 12-5 with a 2.11 goals-against average and .912 save percentage this spring (compared to going 16-8 with a 2.32 goals-against average and .906 save percentage in the 2024 playoffs). But that's part of the beauty of hockey. Many numbers can be informative, but the unpredictable nature of the goalie position makes it difficult to discern why certain things are happening on any given night. Karl DeBlaker / THE ASSOCIATED PRESS FILES Florida Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky is 12-5 with a 2.11 goals-against average and a .912 save percentage during this season's playoff run. Karl DeBlaker / THE ASSOCIATED PRESS FILES Florida Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky is 12-5 with a 2.11 goals-against average and a .912 save percentage during this season's playoff run. That's what makes the journey of Oilers netminder Stuart Skinner so interesting. For the second consecutive spring, Stuart lost the net to Pickard — this time after consecutive losses to the Los Angeles Kings in the opening round. When the opportunity to return to the crease came, Skinner showed he was ready and he's racked up six wins of his own since that time. For the second consecutive spring, Skinner outplayed Jake Oettinger of the Dallas Stars in the Western Conference final and he's ready for his second taste of the Stanley Cup final. MIKE SAYS: Take the following with a massive grain of salt considering I'm just 7-7 so far in my predictions this spring. Truth be told, the Oilers have surprised me every step of the way — I had them losing to Los Angeles, then Vegas, then Dallas. I'm not going to make the same mistake a fourth time. Although I love how the Panthers play and feel foolish picking against them, I think the Oilers find a way to get the job done in what should be another epic battle. Just like last year, this one is going the distance, but McDavid stands tall at the end and is named playoff MVP. Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. KEN SAYS: Things have gone a bit sideways in the predictions game since a 6-2 start to the post-season in the opening round. After going 1-3 in the second, I correctly had the Panthers but didn't have the Oilers advancing, so that leaves me at 8-6 going into this Stanley Cup final. The Oilers are virtually clicking on all cylinders and their improved defensive play has many predicting the Canadian team drought is about to end. Getting Mattias Ekholm back is a huge boost on the back end for the Oilers, but the loss of energetic winger Zach Hyman is a massive blow — even with so many others doing their part at both ends of the ice. For me, not having Hyman tips the scales in what looks like a pick-'em series and that's why I'm taking the Panthers in six, with Bobrosvky getting the nod as the Conn Smythe winner. X and Bluesky: @mikemcintyrewpg X and Bluesky: @WiebesWorld Mike McIntyreReporter Mike McIntyre grew up wanting to be a professional wrestler. But when that dream fizzled, he put all his brawn into becoming a professional writer. Read full biography Ken WiebeReporter Raised in the booming metropolis of Altona, Man., Ken Wiebe grew up wanting to play in the NHL, but after realizing his hands were more adept at typing than scoring, he shifted his attention to cover his favourite sport as a writer. Read full biography Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
CBC
2 hours ago
- CBC
'They have our complete focus': Oilers embrace new mindset for Panthers rematch
Connor McDavid stood along the boards and waited for his teammates. The Oilers had given everything in the Stanley Cup final. McDavid rewrote the NHL's playoff record book with a jaw-dropping performance as part of a memorable post-season run that ultimately ended in Florida's sweltering heat inside Amerant Bank Arena. The gutsy effort — Edmonton forced Game 7 with a trio of victories after trailing the title series 3-0 — wasn't enough. Wiser and more balanced almost 12 months on, McDavid and Co. are hoping for a different closing chapter with the same opponent. The Oilers open this year's best-of-seven showcase against the Panthers on Wednesday at Rogers Place as a calmer, more confident, grounded bunch. Edmonton rode a roller-coaster of emotion to last year's final. After a horrendous start to the regular season that resulted in a coaching change, the club went down 3-2 in the second round and 2-1 in the Western Conference final before surging to victory. WATCH | We asked if the Oilers are Canada's team: Are the Oilers Canada's team? 4 hours ago Duration 2:27 This version trailed the Los Angeles Kings 2-0 in the opening round and has barely looked back since. The Oilers, who are 12-2 over their last 14 contests, won four straight to take that series before disposing of the Vegas Golden Knights and Dallas Stars in five games apiece. "Just keep giving yourselves opportunities to be in this position," McDavid said Tuesday. "Keep giving yourself chances to win, and eventually it happens. We've done that. We've put ourselves in another good spot. "Learned a lot of lessons last year in that month that we can use this year." Last year's playoff push saw McDavid register 42 points — the most ever by a player in a single post-season not named Wayne Gretzky or Mario Lemieux — while his 34 assists were also a record. "Winning in the playoffs takes everything you've got," said McDavid, whose interview station at NHL media day was situated not far from a picture of Florida winger Matthew Tkachuk hoisting the Cup. "We're in the last series, and it takes even more … they can be draining physically and emotionally, but it's supposed to be." The Oilers superstar captain and his partner-in-crime, fellow stud centre Leon Draisaitl, have again been excellent this spring, but Edmonton possesses a more balanced attack, with goals from no fewer than 19 different players on the way to the final. "The maturity factor of it," Draisaitl said of what feels different this time around. "The experience of having been through the travel, the media attention, knowing what it's all about, knowing the details that go into a game. "It's exciting to have worked ourselves back into the situation." Edmonton is also relatively healthy, save for grinding, heart-and-soul forward Zach Hyman's upper-body injury suffered against Dallas that likely ended his campaign. Top-six winger Evander Kane was ready in time for the playoffs after missing the entire regular season with abdominal surgery, while minute-crunching defenceman Mattias Ekholm returned to the lineup in Game 5 last round following a long absence due to a lower-body issue. "We're more patient and more trusting in our game," Draisaitl said. "We seem to have an understanding of when to pounce and when to do the right moves and make the right plays, and the plays that are needed in certain moments." Stuart Skinner has done the job in goal for the Oilers after briefly losing the crease to backup Calvin Pickard for a second straight playoffs, for a group that moves the puck quicker compared to last season. "There's definitely more of a sense of calm," said defenceman Darnell Nurse. "It's definitely a different feel within the group, knowing how much work has to come. When you go through it the first time, there's a heightened level of excitement, a heightened level of everything. "We're focused on the moment. Our group definitely has little bit of a different mindset." The Panthers, meanwhile, are in the final for the third straight June. They disposed of the Tampa Bay Lightning in five games, the Toronto Maple Leafs in seven despite falling behind 2-0, and the Carolina Hurricanes 4-1. Led by captain Aleksander Barkov, who won his third Selke Trophy as the NHL's top defensive forward this week, and always-quotable head coach Paul Maurice, Florida plays a hard forechecking style that wears down opposing defence corps. A talented, tough-as-nails stable of forwards that includes Tkachuk, Sam Bennett and Sam Reinhart added Brad Marchand at the trade deadline, and the former Boston Bruins captain has embraced life alongside his former Atlantic Division rivals. Apart from winning for themselves, their teammates, fans and city, the Oilers have the extra burden — like it or not — of Canada's Cup drought that stretches all the way back to Montreal's victory in 1993. Edmonton lost in seven games in 2006 before also going the distance last year, while Vancouver (1994, 2011), Calgary (2004), Ottawa (2007) and Montreal (2021) also came up short at the final hurdle. McDavid said his team is better prepared for the emotions of the final a second time around. "It can feel like it's larger than it is," he said. "At the end of the day, it's another series. We're playing another great team. You've got to beat them before anything else happens. They have our complete focus. All of our energy is in going into beating the Florida Panthers. "There should be nothing else on anyone's mind."
Edmonton Journal
2 hours ago
- Edmonton Journal
More confident Sohi bets Florida mayor Oilers will win Stanley Cup 2025
Article content The bets are back on between the mayors of Edmonton and Sunrise, Fla., as the Oilers get set to take on the Florida Panthers in the Stanley Cup Finals for the second year in a row. 'I'm just looking forward to the look on his face. I think he enjoyed the look on my face last year,' said Edmonton Mayor Amarjeet Sohi with a smile in Ford Hall on Tuesday. After a crushing Game 7 defeat to the Florida Panthers in the Stanley Cup Final last year, the heartache was extended to Edmonton city hall, when Sohi had to honour a bet he made with Sunrise Mayor Michael Ryan by wearing a Florida jersey. This year, in what is quickly becoming a finals tradition, Sohi and Ryan have made yet another bet on the outcome of the Stanley Cup Finals, but the Edmonton mayor has strong faith in a different outcome.
