Do it with defence: High-octane Oilers riding structure, strong penalty kill
DALLAS — Zach Hyman signed with the Edmonton Oilers knowing he would get an opportunity to fill the opposition net.
The chance to play alongside Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl was, quite simply, too good to pass up after the Toronto Maple Leafs decided to let him hit free agency in July 2021.
What the gritty winger might not have so easily envisioned at the time was the offensive juggernaut’s star power backchecking like there’s no tomorrow and throwing bodies in front of pucks in the defensive zone.
After a couple of decent playoff runs, however, that’s a big part of an equation that has the Oilers just three wins from the Stanley Cup final — and seven from hockey’s ultimate prize.