The battle to win the Stanley Cup is a grueling two month endeavor that takes everything from the players and coaches. With the Edmonton Oilers and Florida Panthers reaching the Stanley Cup Final, you would be hard pressed to find anyone playing at 100%.
It is normal for players to elect to skip the morning skate, especially this time of year when resting the body is an absolute necessity. The hockey pundits started up the rumor mill on Oilers forward Evander Kane's availability for Game 2 after he missed the morning skate.
Through the first eleven games, Kane had seven points, since the injuries have started to pile up, Kane has been far less effective. The power forward only has one point in his last eight games.
Journalist for Sportsnet, Mark Spector revealed that one source is telling him that Kane very seldomly sat on the bench during Game 1. Whatever the injury aligning him, sitting doesn't work.
Kane's effectiveness is no doubt tied to his injury. You have to wonder when his ability to play starts to hinder the team in a negative way. Everyone wants to be in the lineup this time of year to help the team win but when your play begins to negativley effect the team, it may be time to be shut down for a game or two.
