Zach Hyman’s role resurgence and his impact during the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs

Let’s dive into the role resurgence of Zach Hyman to only begin to get a grasp on what the Oilers will be missing in his absence.

Hyman found ways to produce on offence

Despite a season that featured a drop-off in his goal scoring, Hyman has continued to contribute offensively throughout the playoffs. While he was certainly not on pace for the 16 goals he had last postseason, Hyman continued to work hard regardless of his point totals. As it currently stands after his final appearance this season, Hyman has 11 points in 14 games, with his patience clearly paying off in Game 3 against the Dallas Stars, where he put up two goals and an assist.

What makes it easy to appreciate Hyman is that he is not afraid to do the dirty work, finding himself at the front of the crease or chasing the puck into the corner. Offensive opportunities are certainly more challenging to create come playoff time, and Hyman’s play allowed him to be both a catalyst and a recipient of some silky offensive plays.

Lean, mean hitting machine

Perhaps the most surprising aspect of Hyman’s game these playoffs has been his physicality. While he has not been afraid to lay a hit in the regular season, the magnitude of growth in his physical play has been exponential.

After producing only 59 hits in the regular season, Hyman has launched out of a cannon and has been terrorizing the opposing players along the boards. Hyman will end the playoffs with 109 hits in 14 games, which Oilers Radio Colour Commentator Bob Stauffer has mentioned in a post-game interview as one of the highest hits per game totals in recent memory.

Hyman’s physicality represents a creative role shift in his game. Having produced less offensively than in prior years, Hyman has found a way to reinvent himself and contribute to the oft-hit-averse Oilers squad. There is absolutely no doubt that the physicality imposed on his opponents has allowed the Oilers to create more offensive opportunities while ensuring that other teams think twice about going after Connor McDavid or Leon Draisaitl.

Hyman is a reliable and accountable player

Having been in the league since the 2015–16 season, Hyman is a veteran who leads by example. It is often easy to gloss over these factors, but Hyman’s work ethic is something you can count on. Hyman made use of his time in either a physical, offensive, or back-checking capacity, and his effort on the ice has not given many reasons to be questioned.

His accountability can also be seen in metrics such as penalty minutes, which he accumulated only six minutes in 14 games, ensuring he does not put his team into challenging situations. Furthermore, his plus-minus rating is a +10, demonstrating the strength of his impact on the team’s goal differential.

For a playoff team looking to make a deep run into June, it is often not enough for its players to stick to their status quo. They must find a way to elevate their game and reinvent themselves and their identity. This is exactly what Zach Hyman has done for the Edmonton Oilers, whose Swiss army knife skillset will certainly be needed if the Oilers want to bring Lord Stanley home.

The Oilers will be struggling to find a way to fill all that he provides to the lineup now that his absence is confirmed. He is one of the most versatile fowards around with his production in all areas of the scoresheet, his tenacious work ethic, surprising foot speed, strength on the puck, and of course, the good vibes that follow him around wherever he goes.

We wish him a speedy recovery and cannot wait to see him back on the ice in the fall!