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NHL Notebook: Oilers take stranglehold on Western Conference Finals, but lose Zach Hyman for rest of playoffs

Originally posted on Canucksarmy | By Tyson Cole | Last updated May 28, 2025 2:00 PM ET

The NHL playoffs continue to roll on, and it appears we are going to see a rematch from last year as both the Edmonton Oilers and Florida Panthers are within one game of reaching the Stanley Cup Final.

The Oilers secured the 4-1 victory on Tuesday night, capped off with a pair of empty-net goals from Kasperi Kapanen and Adam Henrique. The series now shifts to Dallas for Game 5 on Thursday, but the victory did not come without cost for the Oilers.

In the middle of the first period, Zach Hyman stick handles on a zone exit past Stars defenceman Esa Lindell. At the blueline, Hyman was met by another Stars player, Mason Marchment, who tried to lay a big open ice hit.

Hyman managed to avoid most of the hit. However, Marchment would catch Hyman in the right arm/shoulder area, resulting in the Oilers forward dropping his stick and heading straight to the bench and down the tunnel to the locker room:

Zach Hyman heads to the dressing room after taking a hit from Mason Marchment pic.twitter.com/pKJcoL5qxm

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) May 28, 2025

The Oilers quickly ruled out Hyman for the remainder of the game. Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch gave no immediate update postgame, but said he would share more on Wednesday morning.

Fast forward to Wednesday morning, Knoblauch met with the media to share the news that Hyman’s season is most likely done. He stated that the forward was getting surgery this morning, and the club doesn’t expect him to be back for the playoffs. Knoblauch would not disclose if it was a shoulder or wrist injury, but called it an upper-body injury.

Oilers HC Kris Knoblauch reveals that Zach Hyman will undergo surgery today and that his postseason is most likely over. pic.twitter.com/KUUM7cEk6r

— TSN (@TSN_Sports) May 28, 2025

Hyman was having a relatively quiet postseason for the Oilers compared to his 2024 playoff run. At the 15-game mark last playoffs, Hyman had 13 goals and three assists. However, through 15 playoff games this postseason, Hyman has five goals and six assists.

Game 3 against the Stars was Hyman’s best game after scoring a pair of third period goals to officially ice the game for the Oilers. But overall offensively, Hyman’s 11 points show a slight decline from his previous success.

Where Hyman has been making the biggest difference in the playoffs with his physicality. The Ontario native leads the postseason with 111 hits, clearing Panthers centreman Sam Bennett by 29 and teammate Vasily Podkolzin by 41.

If the Oilers are to advance without Hyman, and it is a rematch of last season’s Stanley Cup Final, do you think Edmonton gets its revenge without Hyman? Or are we looking at crowning the Panthers back-to-back Cup champions?

To put our Canucks-tinted glasses on. It really does seem that it’s only a matter of time until Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl get their hands on the Stanley Cup. Would it make it easier on you Canucks fans if it happens when Vancouver did not qualify for the playoffs?

This article first appeared on Canucksarmy and was syndicated with permission.

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