Jun 10, 2024; Sunrise, Florida, USA; Florida Panthers defenseman Brandon Montour (62) and Edmonton Oilers forward Evander Kane (91) fight during the third period in game two of the 2024 Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-USA TODAY Sports

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Evander Kane, John Klingberg Set to Return for Edmonton Oilers in Game 2

Oilers boost their Game 2 lineup as Evander Kane and John Klingberg are cleared to play after injury concerns.

Game 1 didn’t go the way the Edmonton Oilers had hoped. A heartbreaking loss to the Los Angeles Kings left fans frustrated and the team scrambling for solutions. But help is finally on the way, and it’s coming in the form of two familiar faces. Forward Evander Kane and defenseman John Klingberg have been cleared to play and will return to the lineup for Game 2. Head coach Kris Knoblauch confirmed the update, and Oilers fans now have something to rally behind as the team looks to even the series.

Kane has been out all season recovering from multiple surgeries, while Klingberg hasn’t played since late March due to a lower-body injury. Both players were on long-term injured reserve and will be officially activated tonight, although playoff rules make the process a formality. With no salary cap or roster limits during the postseason, the focus now shifts entirely to performance, and expectations are high.

Welcome back, Klinger & Kaner! 👊 #LetsGoOilers pic.twitter.com/U4F2ZJ0nzd
— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) April 23, 2025

Back in the Fight: What Kane and Klingberg Bring to the Ice

For Kane, tonight marks his first game action in over 10 months, 317 days, to be exact. The last time he suited up was in Game 2 of the 2024 Stanley Cup Final. Since then, he’s been through a difficult recovery that involved surgery on a sports hernia, two torn hip adductors, and lower abdominal muscles. If that wasn’t enough, a knee issue emerged during his rehab, adding more time to the clock. But he’s been skating recently, and now, he’s ready to contribute.

Kane has shown before that he can elevate his game when it matters most. In the 2022 playoffs, he led all players with 13 goals in just 15 games. The Oilers are counting on that kind of spark again, especially with their top scorers like McDavid, Draisaitl, Hyman, and Nugent-Hopkins shouldering nearly half the team’s offensive load during the regular season. Kane will slot in alongside Nugent-Hopkins and Hyman on the second line, which already showed strong chemistry last season. That trio could be a problem for any defense, especially if they find their rhythm early.

On the defensive end, John Klingberg’s return helps stabilize a blue line that’s been under pressure. He’ll pair with Jake Walman, a strong defensive presence who’s quietly been one of Edmonton’s most reliable players since the trade deadline. While Klingberg’s numbers haven’t been great, putting him next to Walman is a smart move. It allows him to focus on what he does best, generating offense from the back, while Walman handles the tough defensive assignments.

Image Credit: Jim Rassol-USA TODAY Sports

Evander Kane

John Klingberg

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Anamika Shrivastava

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