One Oilers player skipped handshake line with Florida Panthers after Stanley Cup loss

Photo credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

The Edmonton Oilers just suffered the most heartbreaking loss in recent history, and Evander Kane couldn’t even bring himself to join the handshake line tradition after the game.

Kane left the ice after he was penalized with a 10-minute misconduct and did not return even as the clock ran to zero.

Kane’s game was not as effective during Cup Finals

During the Stanley Cup finals, it was clear that Kane’s game became less effective over the last several games.

In the earlier series against the Dallas Stars and the Vegas Golden Knights, Kane was very effective against their players and found his scoring touch.

The Panthers essentially shut him down throughout the entire series offensively where he only had one goal in Game 2 and did not factor on the score sheet.

Many Oilers fans we’re happy to see the return of Kane as he had been out the entire season due to several surgeries including abdominal surgery and knee surgery.

Some had suggested the Oilers would look at trading Kane at the NHL trade deadline but that was swiftly blocked and he remained with the team for the playoffs.

Oilers now face a tough offseason after another Finals loss

The Oilers now will face a tough offseason as they begin to digest another Stanley Cup finals loss and the potential of other players leaving the organization as several will be unrestricted free agents.

The team has major decisions to make especially around defenseman Evan Bouchard and attempt to convince Connor McDavid to sign for another eight years at a max deal.

There will be some long faces and some tough moments in the coming hours and days for the Oilers but to make to back-to-back Stanley Cup finals in a row is still rather impressive.