Oilers’ Evander Kane close to being cleared for return, coach says

Slowly but surely, the Edmonton Oilers are creeping closer to full strength.

Forward Evander Kane is nearing clearance to return from a knee surgery that sidelined him for the entire season, head coach Kris Knoblauch told reporters on Saturday.

Meanwhile, defenceman John Klingberg (lower body) and forward Trent Frederic (ankle) could both play Game 1 against the Los Angeles Kings, Knoblauch said.

Defenceman Troy Stecher (undisclosed) skated Saturday morning but is not expected to be available until later in the series, the coach added.

The Oilers and Kings renew their rivalry in the first round beginning Monday at 10 p.m. ET / 8 p.m. MT. Live coverage is available on Sportsnet and Sportsnet+.

While defenceman Mattias Ekholm is already out for the series, Knoblauch said the rest of the injured Oilers are “doing well.”

The likes of Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid have both missed time recently but are expected to suit up in Game 1.

Kane, 33, posted 24 goals and 20 assists through 77 games for the Oilers last season. He also made 20 playoff appearances.

“Just going off last year … how I felt that year and what I was able to do, that gives me confidence with how I feel now,” Kane said Monday when asked about how ready he feels for a potential return.

Klingberg joined the Oilers mid-season after recovering from hip surgery that cost him the majority of last season with the Toronto Maple Leafs. He skated in 11 games with Edmonton, recording one goal and four assists.

Frederic was acquired from the Boston Bruins ahead of the trade deadline, but an ankle injury delayed his Oilers debut until April 5, when he re-aggravated the ailment. The grinding forward has not played in a game since.

Stecher, 31, skated in 66 games for the season, tallying three goals and four assists.

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return { oddsData, visitingTeam, visitingTeamLogo, homeTeam, homeTeamLogo, gameTimestamp }; }

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try { ({ oddsData, visitingTeam, visitingTeamLogo, homeTeam, homeTeamLogo, gameTimestamp } = await fetchOddsData(league, gameId)); } catch (err) { error = err.message; }

if (error) { container.innerHTML = `

Error: ${error}

`; return; }

if (!oddsData) { container.innerHTML = `

Odds data not available

`; return; }

let gameDate = new Date(gameTimestamp * 1000); const gameDateFormatted = gameDate.toLocaleDateString('en-US', { year: 'numeric', month: 'long', day: 'numeric' });

container.innerHTML = `

BetMGM Odds

${gameDateFormatted}

VS

Moneyline

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${oddsData.away_money > 0 ? `+${oddsData.away_money}` : oddsData.away_money}

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Spread

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${oddsData.fav_id === homeTeam.id ? oddsData.fav_points : oddsData.fav_points > 0 ? `-${oddsData.fav_points}` : `+${Math.abs(oddsData.fav_points)}`}

${oddsData.fav_id === homeTeam.id ? oddsData.fav_money > 0 ? `+${oddsData.fav_money}` : oddsData.fav_money : oddsData.underdog_money > 0 ? `+${oddsData.underdog_money}` : oddsData.underdog_money}

Over/Under

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U ${oddsData.total}

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Powered by

${gameDateFormatted}

VS

Powered by

`; }

// Example usage renderBetMGM('block_799daf4afb9c9d34379c1c1e0d8941f0', 'NHL', 'a37ae3d7-b2f6-4a31-8115-06366847737c');