Evander Kane Punches Defenseless Kolesar; ‘If You Want to F— Around’

LAS VEGAS — Edmonton Oilers winger Evander Kane didn’t mince words, nor did he pull punches when he had the chance to pummel vulnerable Vegas Golden Knights grinder Keegan Kolesar late in the second period of the Edmonton 5-1 win of Game 2.

The Golden Knights suffered a first-round knockout Saturday. Edmonton scored four goals in the first 16 minutes, and the game was essentially decided. The rough stuff followed later in the second period.

Evander Kane held down and repeatedly punched a defenseless Keegan Kolesar#LetsGoOilers | #VegasBorn pic.twitter.com/fH2pnOnAZ2

— Hockey Daily 365 l NHL Highlights (@HockeyDaily365) May 7, 2023

While one fight ensued at center ice, a 4v4 scrap broke out in the Golden Knights zone. Kane took Kolesar to the ice but then threw four unimpeded punches that landed cleanly on the defenseless Kolesar’s midsection. Kolesar fought to his feet before Kane put him in a chokehold, and linesmen broke up the grappling.

Kane was not apologetic as he spoke to reporters after the game.

“If you want to f — around, sometimes you’re going to find out.” — Evander Kane

— Daniel Nugent-Bowman (@DNBsports) May 7, 2023

“It’s frustrating, right? Refs are standing right there. We’ve only got four guys on the ice, and (Edmonton) had five,” Golden Knights winger Mark Stone said. “And the referee just stands there and lets (Kolesar) get hit. So it is frustrating for sure. You never want to see your teammate getting suckered down like that, especially one who stuck up for his teammates all year.”

Game 3 is Monday in Edmonton.