Edmonton Oilers coach jokes that Hyman got better with bubble
Zach Hyman has rediscovered his scoring touch with the Edmonton Oilers, and he may be getting a boost from an unexpected source.
It may not have been the most pleasant of experiences to get an Evan Bouchard slapshot to the face, but Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch thinks it may be helping Hyman go to the net easier.
The shot broke Hyman’s nose and gave him a pair of black eyes. He described the doctor breaking his nose back into place as sounding like “a bag of chips.” To help save his face from more damage, the 32-year-old is wearing a bubble helmet to shield himself from any more errant pucks or sticks.
He has since scored two goals in the two games he’s played with the bubble.
“We’re talking about how it’s easier to be around the net when you are wearing the bubble because it doesn’t matter what happens; you’re pretty safe,” Knoblauch said with a smile.
“Right now, eight goals in the last nine, they’re going in for him right now… He’s been playing really well, and part of our success is getting that offence from our top players, and Zach’s one of those guys.”
"I think about our last couple of wins how we just found ways to win… I like how we've persevered, stuck with the game plan & come up with those victories."
Coach Knoblauch on the #Oilers comeback success in their last two games.@Enterprise | #LetsGoOilers pic.twitter.com/jcQKRxZCfq
— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) December 22, 2024
Bubble or not, it’s hard to believe that a player of Hyman’s ilk would ever shy away from the front of the net, regardless of what kind of injury he was suffering from. What is shocking is just how long it took for Hyman to finally regain his scoring touch, which was so prolific last season.
It wasn’t because of a lack of effort or chances, as the former Toronto Maple Leafs forward generated better-quality chances at a higher rate earlier in the season. They were just not finding the back of the net.
He now has nine goals in his last eight games to bring his season total up to 12 on the season. That’s good enough for third on the Oilers and puts him on pace to notch about 30 goals when the season is over.
While spending the holidays with a busted nose and two black eyes may not be ideal for Hyman and his family, he should be happy with his recent contributions to his team.