Oilers' Kane fined $5,000 US by NHL for slashing Flames' Hunt in Saturday victory

The NHL has assessed Edmonton Oilers forward Evander Kane a maximum fine of $5,000 US for slashing Flames forward Dryden Hunt in a game Saturday night in Calgary.

The incident happened at 3:46 of the second period. Kane was assessed a minor penalty for slashing.

The Oilers went on to win the game 4-2 and take three of the four games in the series between the provincial rivals.

The fine is Kane's second of the season after he was penalized $2,500 for unsportsmanlike conduct against Columbus forward Cole Sillinger last month.

Kane has also raised a few eyebrows of late for his interactions with teammates during game action.

On March 23, he had an animated conversation with fellow forward Leon Draisaitl on the bench in the second period with the Oilers trailing 5-0 to the hometown Toronto Maple Leafs, a game they would lose 6-3.

One theory from the Hockey Night in Canada panel was Kane wasn't giving defenceman Evan Bouchard an option on the boards during a power play, a spot usually filled by Draisaitl if he hadn't been sitting in the box.

Another reported perception is Draisaitl believed Kane wasn't showing enough effort.

In the second period of Saturday's game, Oilers checking forward Corey Perry was spotted yelling at Kane in an extended rant on the bench.

Perry could have been upset when Kane, his linemate, sent a soft pass to an open area after Edmonton worked the puck low in the Flames' zone, allowing Calgary to race into the Oilers' end.

Edmonton begins a four-game homestand Wednesday against the Vegas Golden Knights.