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Kevin Bieksa Calls Out Oilers Players and Evander Kane For Not Defending McDavid and Draisaitl

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Julien Trekker
March 24, 2024  (10:18)
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Former NHLer Kevin Bieksa in an intermission report, calling out Edmonton Oilers'  forward Evander Kane after two bad periods against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Photo credit: Screenshot

Former NHLer and current analyst on Hockey Night in Canada Kevin Bieksa called out the Edmonton Oilers' players, including Evander Kane, for not defending McDavid and Draisaitl in a tough loss against the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Last night, the Oilers fell shot against the Leafs and lost to a whopping 6-3. What was more disturbing to see was Toronto getting rough with Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, and seeing no response from the Oilers.

Kevin Bieksa calls out Evander Kane and the rest of the Edmonton Oilers for failing to protect Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid after tough defeat in Toronto

After two periods, the Oilers already had a 5-0 deficit. Toronto was rough with McDavid and Draisaitl. They didn't leave the Oilers' stars any room on the ice and were very physical.

Kevin Bieksa, in an intervention during the game's second intermission, called out the rest of the Oilers' players for failling to defend their star players.

"The Leafs wanted to get bigger and tougher in front of their net and they wanted to defend like this so if you're the Oilers and you're the skill guys like McDavid, you let the Kanes and you let the Nurses and you let your physical guys, Janmark, get involved in this stuff."

"You have to turn the other cheek if you're Connor and Leon cause your team needs you on the ice."

Bieksa recalled his time with the Canucks, playing with the Sedin brothers:

"Like with the Sedins, we never wanted the Sedins in these battles," admitted Bieksa. "I never wanted this to be one of the Sedins battling with Holmberg and pushing him back."

"But then like Evander Kane or somebody else step up, why do McDavid and Draisaitl have to fight their own battles? Why isn't the rest of their team stepping in for them?"

Evander Kane must take a part of the blame. He's not alone in this situation, but he must understand that stepping in for your top players isn't an option, especially this close to the playoffs!

Last night, it even led to an altercation with Draisaitl on the bench!

However, despite that tough night, Kane managed to score an assist, during a powerplay.

Without McDavid and Draisaitl, the Oilers wouldn't be where they're at now. In the playoffs, if their teammates don't step up when they get roughed up, it's hard to imagine they'll win a Stanley Cup this season.

More to come.

As seen on Daily Hockey Dose - Kane Gets Called Out By Kevin Bieksa After Two Terrible Periods

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Kevin Bieksa Calls Out Oilers Players and Evander Kane For Not Defending McDavid and Draisaitl

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