Evander Kane #91 and Zach Hyman #18 of the Edmonton Oilers
Zach Hyman is having an outstanding season, currently tied for the second-highest number of goals in the NHL and potentially heading towards his first-ever 50-goal season. When Hyman initially joined the Edmonton Oilers in 2021, many viewed him as a supporting player to stars like Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. However, three years later, Hyman has proven himself to be just as impactful as these top players. With 46 goals so far, surpassing the 40-goal milestone for the first time, he’s on course to be the first Oilers player not named McDavid or Draisaitl to hit 50 goals in a season since Jari Kurri in 1986-87.
Hyman has primarily played alongside McDavid on the first line, seizing this opportunity to excel, particularly on home ice where he’s scored 29 goals in the last 24 games, matching Wayne Gretzky’s franchise record of scoring in 10 consecutive home games. His contributions extend beyond even-strength play; he’s also been a crucial asset on the powerplay, ranking second in the team with 13 powerplay goals, trailing only Draisaitl. Notably, the majority of Hyman’s goals have been scored from high-danger areas, showcasing his knack for scoring in crucial situations.
Acknowledging the role of his talented teammates, Hyman credits McDavid and others for creating scoring opportunities, emphasizing the privilege of playing alongside some of the best players in the world. Despite his individual success, Hyman remains focused on contributing to the team’s overall performance rather than chasing personal milestones. Nonetheless, his impressive offensive output and overall contributions have earned recognition from his coach, Kris Knoblauch, who highlights Hyman’s multifaceted contributions to the team’s success.
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