Oilers Head Coach Delivers Crushing Update on Star Forward Ahead of Game One of the Playoffs

For the 4th straight year, the Edmonton Oilers will meet the Los Angeles Kings in the opening round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

The major different this time around is the Kings will have home ice advantage, as they finished ahead of the Oilers in the Pacific Division standings.

Ahead of the opening game on Monday night at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch delivered a crushing update on the status of Edmonton forward Evander Kane.

Kane, who has not played at all this year after undergoing multiple surgeries following Edmonton's run to the Stanley Cup Final last year, will be unavailable for Game 1.

He's not the only Oilers player that will be unavailable, as both Troy Stetcher and Mattias Ekholm will also be unable to play; Ekholm has been ruled out for the entirety of the opening round.

Meanwhile, Brett Kulak is expected to return in time for the game after returning home for the birth of his child.

As far as Trent Frederic is concerned, he's considered day to day; he hasn't played since April 5.

Earlier in the month, Kane spoke about the progress that he's been making toward a return and had nothing but positive things to say.

Kane had 44 points (24G, 20A) in 77 games played last year.