Setting goals
Zach Hyman's high-octane offence helps fuel Oilers into the second round
Zach Hyman is coming into the Edmonton Oilers' Western Conference second-round series with as many goals in these playoffs as the entire Vancouver Canucks top line combined.
Scoring seven times in five games against the Los Angeles Kings, he single-handedly matched the productivity Brock Boeser (four goals), Pius Suter (two goals) and J.T. Miller (one goal) had during six games of their opening round series against the Nashville Predators.
“Good team, they won the division obviously,” Hyman said of the Canucks, who finished five points ahead of the second-place Oilers in the Pacific standings. “So, they'll be a good task for us.”
Just don't ask Hyman for any kind of scouting report on the Canucks ahead of the puck dropping on their series Tuesday night.
“I watched maybe 10 minutes. I got kids at home and was on dad duty, bedtime duty,” Hyman said of the Canucks' opening round. “Just go out there and play, the coaches will scheme up something. “And that's it.”
Simple, right?
Just as long as it's something more schemey than they brought while getting swept in their four regular-season games against Vancouver, including a discombobulating 8-1 loss on the west coast in their season-opener that set the pace for the early dismissal of former Oilers head coach Jay Woodcroft.
Not that those meetings hold any significance to the Oilers looking ahead to the upcoming best-ofseven series. Those four losses ended up making the difference between first and second place in the Pacific Division, whereas the next four losses will spell the end of one team's season, while the other will move on to the Western Conference final.
“No, it's a completely new season, new team,” said Hyman, who recorded a career-high 54 goals this season. “So, no.
“Playoffs are different, so it will be a fun series.”
With vastly different results, if the Oilers have anything to say about it. They're going into this one thinking the Canucks haven't seen them at their best.
“I think we're playing our best now,” Hyman said. “So, L.A. obviously did and now we've got Vancouver.”
Not that the Oilers are taking anything for granted heading into this one. But how will this one compare?
“Every series is different. Obviously, L.A.'s a unique team because they set up in that 1-3-1 (formation) so you kind of have to adjust your game accordingly. You've got to dump more pucks in than you're used to, probably,” Hyman said. “Vancouver, they probably play more fast-paced, they want to have the puck more, so it will be different in that sense.
“There won't be a 1-3-1, it will be more of a 1-2-2 or 2-1-2 in the neutral zone so you'll be able to get through it. But at the same time, they're a really good rush team also. So, they're going to be coming with speed the other way, so you have to be careful.”
The Canucks, meanwhile, will have their hands full trying to get the puck past Stuart Skinner, who over his last three playoff games — all wins — has one shutout, a 1.33 goals-against average and a .951 save percentage.
“I think it's your ability to bounce back after performances you feel that you could have been better in. I think that's key for a goalie, having that short-term memory,” Hyman said. “In the NHL, you have great players who can score and some nights they're going to get the better of you, it doesn't matter what goalie you are.
“But I think the key sign of a really good goalie is your ability to bounce back the next night. And obviously in that first round, Stu was phenomenal, just shut the door. Stole a game for us I would say, which is all you can ask for in a series. If your goalie can steal one for you then you're in good shape.
“I just think he brings a steady calming presence back there. We know if we limit shots to the outside, we've got a big guy who can handle it.”
And that's not even touching on Edmonton's special teams, which lead the playoffs at a perfect 12-for12 on the penalty kill and 9-for-20 on the power play.
“I think our PK's been phenomenal,” Hyman said. “And your best penalty killer has to be your goalie, so (Skinner) is a big reason, obviously, why the PK has done so well.
“Anytime you have a guy who you're confident in in net, it allows you to play with more freedom.”