Good morning, everyone, and a happy Monday to all of you. I’ve got a fresh mailbag ready to go after taking your questions and sending them to the crew for their take on whatever is on your mind. This week, we’re discussing the Oilers and Kings, Evander Kane’s return, the special teams, and more. If you’ve got a question you’d like to ask, email it to me at baggedmilk@oilersnation.com or on Twitter at @jsbmbaggedmilk, and I’ll get to you as soon as I can.

He looked rusty in his first game, which is understandable, but he’s been good since. Had a huge impact in Game 3, has been consistently physical and now we’ll see how his conditioning is the more games he plays.

Couldn’t ask for more from him. A series-changing goal on Friday night and then chipping in with the physicality is what he’s brought to the lineup. It’s all about staying consistent now.

I thought he’s gotten better with each passing game, and looking more like himself with each shift. That’s important for the Oilers given how impactful he can be on the ice. As always, Kane has been engaged physically, gets to the greasy areas on the ice, and has already chipped in with a big goal (and penalty) at a point of Game 3 when the team needed it most.

It was beyond awful the first two games. I thought in Game 3 they were much better, and even though LA scored late in both power plays, the PK looked like it was finding some rhythm. They killed more as a unit the two games in Edmonton and significantly lowered the shots on goal. They allowed 20 in the two games in LA on 10 attempts but only allowed five in Edmonton on five kills. A huge improvement.

More pressure on the zone entries and giving the Kings less time with the puck. LA has all the time in the world to make plays.

Man, I wish I knew the answer to this question. They’ve been so bad on the PK to start the series that all I can hope for is that they keep the game at even strength. Most troubling, though, has to be the way the boys are unable to clear the zone when they have a chance. The Kings are playing an extremely aggressive style on the PP, and the Oilers need to find a way to deal with that more effectively.

How bad the PK was early on was a big one. The most positive surprise is how Corey Perry continues to produce and be a major influence on the game.

The biggest surprise, which is also bad, is how disorganized the Oilers have looked in the defensive zone. They’re a team that’s experienced and has a coach who prides himself on defence, yet somehow, they’ve been dreadful. As for the good, Kane is coming back and hitting his stride right away.

The special teams. In the first three series, special teams were a strength for Edmonton — the PK specifically — but that has not been the case early in Round 4.

I don’t see his style fitting into what Knoblauch wants. Skinner will get back in the lineup when there is an injury, but otherwise I don’t see anyone he would replace and add more.

Jeff Skinner needs to play in the top six to have success. The problem is there is now no room in the top six. So, if he is in the lineup, he can’t be a defensive liability. Unfortunately for him, he was on the ice for three goals against in Game 1, which resulted in his being benched. The NHL is a cruel world, but the Oilers need to focus on winning games now and not worry about getting Skinner going.

It’s been the same kind of thing all season with Skinner, hasn’t it? I’m guessing that Knoblauch saw him being -3 in Game 1 and having enough of the defensive inefficiencies. If Skinner isn’t producing offensively, he struggles to make an impact on the game like a Kane can do with his physicality. Even if Evander Kane isn’t scoring, he’s going to mix it up in one way or another, and I’d bet that’s the difference in Knoblauch’s mind.

He plays a completely different style, but Frederic has gotten better each game. He is getting used to skating and turning with his skate taped tightly. He created some quality chances in Game 4, but the biggest difference in their game is that Frederic can be physical, and with LA relying heavily on four D-men, the need to hit them and wear them down is key. I think we saw that unfold in overtime, as the Kings were a step behind.

Frederic’s TOI has gone up with every game he’s played, so that ankle must be starting to feel a little bit better. Much like my answer for the Skinner question above, I think Frederic brings more variables to the table even when he’s not scoring.

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