Kane could be final piece of puzzle

Things are starting to come together at the right time for the Edmonton Oilers.

With a dozen games left in the season, the last piece of a championship puzzle may be fitting into place with Evander Kane getting back up to speed.

Kane was instrumental in the Oilers’ playoffs success last season after joining the team in January of that year.

This season, Kane has been unable to gain much traction due to injury. He missed 31 games after having his wrist sliced open in November when Patrick Maroon inadvertently skated over it.

Once Kane was able to return from the careerthreatening injury, he played 10 games before having to go back on the shelf with a suspected upper-body issue.

After missing nine games, Kane returned and, in his fifth game back, netted a hat trick in a 6-4 win, on the road, against the Seattle Kraken on Saturday afternoon.

“He’s ultra-talented; he’s a star in this league,” Oilers coach Jay Woodcroft told Oilers TV after the game. “For him, it’s about getting up and running again, getting the engine going.

“We can’t forget we’re at Game 70 in the NHL season, so he’s stepping back in when the game is at its fastest right now. I think he’s played an average of 19 minutes since he’s come back. He’s been all around it and I’m happy he potted three (Saturday).”

A healthy Kane, at the top of his game, will be vital to the Oilers’ playoff success. Regardless of who the Oilers play, the first round will be a battle.