In the latest episode of the 32 Thoughts podcast, NHL insider Elliotte Friedman made a bold statement about the Edmonton Oilers' Stanley Cup aspirations this season. According to him, the key to their success lies in the hands of Evander Kane. During his conversation with Jeff Marek, Friedman delved into the dynamics within the Oilers' locker room, emphasizing Kane's pivotal role. Despite recent clashes with teammates, including a heated exchange with Corey Perry, Friedman sees Kane as essential to the team's playoff hopes. <q>Teammates argue all the time, but this is the second time one has snapped at Evander Kane on the bench. I believe the message is the same: it's the little plays that make a big difference.</q> <div align='center'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/Sportsnet/status/1777431933749723392'> </a></blockquote></div> Acknowledging Kane's reputation and his ability to stir things up on the ice, Friedman suggested that the Oilers need the fiery version of Kane to elevate their game in the postseason. <q>They don't just need him to be moderately engaged. They need the big pain in the a** Evander Kane. They need the top forechecker in the league Evander Kane, and I think they've just decided they are going to ride him until he gets there.</q> Friedman emphasized that the responsibility for pushing Kane to reach his potential will fall on his teammates, who are committed to bringing out the best in him. <q>It's going to be tough love, and it's not gonna be the coach who's going to do it. It's going to be the players who are gonna do it, and they are saying, 'If we want to win the Stanley Cup this year, we need a great Evander Kane, and we are taking the responsibility of making sure he gets there.</q> As the playoffs approach, the Oilers have secured their spot and are gearing up for a postseason push. Whether Kane will be the X-factor they need remains to be seen, but one thing is sure: all eyes will be on him as the Oilers chase their Stanley Cup dreams.