Evander Kane Blasts Florida Panthers and NHL in Postgame Interview

Evander Kane raised eyebrows in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final after suggesting that the Edmonton Oilers were the unfair recipients of referee injustices. The payoff was a one-sided 6-1 loss to the Florida Panthers.

Kane mentioned the imbalance in penalties: Edmonton had 21 penalties for 85 minutes, while Florida had 14 for 55 minutes. Three of the six Florida power plays were converted on, making them 2-1 up in the series.

Both clubs accounted for four penalties during the first period alone, with Kane himself being issued two of them, one for cross-checking and another for high-sticking.

The game fell apart in the third period with tensions finally erupting. Eight players were issued misconducts, including Kane, Darnell Nurse, and Mattias Ekholm of the Oilers, and Sam Bennett and A.J. Greer of the Panthers, to name a few.

In spite of the raw finish, Kane asserted the Panthers had not managed to get under the Oilers' skin. Nevertheless, third-period pandemonium hinted otherwise.

As a note of interest, through Games 1 and 2, Florida was more penalized than Edmonton. The Panthers incurred four penalties to the Oilers' three in Game 1, and eight to six in Game 2.

Florida lost Game 1 in overtime but came back with a double-overtime victory in Game 2. The Panthers hold a 2-1 edge in the series and will host Game 4 Thursday evening in Sunrise, Florida.

Florida is seeking to add to history, becoming the first team in four years to win consecutive Stanley Cups, something the Lightning accomplished in 2020 and 2021.