"Lives at the net": Leafs' Matthews praises Hyman's play with Oilers
It has been quite an impressive season for Edmonton Oilers forward Zach Hyman, and his success is not surprising to his former Toronto Maple Leafs teammates.
The Leafs are in town tonight to take on the Oilers in their only visit to Edmonton this season. After both teams took part in their morning skate at Rogers Place, reporters descended into the Toronto locker room to hear from Leafs superstar Auston Matthews.
The former 60-goal man had nothing but good things to say when asked about Hyman’s 26 goals on the season, which is only seven back of Matthews’ league-leading 33.
“[Hyman] is a guy that lives at the net,” Matthews told reporters. “He’s one of the hardest-working guys I’ve ever played with.”
Hyman spent six seasons playing with the Maple Leafs. Before coming to Edmonton, his career-high goals was 21, which he accomplished twice. Hyman has surpassed that mark in all three seasons he has played with the Oilers, rocketing his new career-high up to the 36 goals he scored last year.
Edmonton goal!
Scored by Zach Hyman with 06:00 remaining in the 3rd period.
Detroit: 1
Edmonton: 2#EDMvsDET #LGRW #LetsGoOilers pic.twitter.com/H4OouNGvWB— NHL Goals (@nhl_goal_bot) January 12, 2024
If he continues to score at his current pace for the rest of the season, he is sure to shatter that ceiling as well.
Playing alongside Connor McDavid will have that effect on a player, but Matthews isn’t discounting Hyman’s game just because of who his linemates are.
“He’s playing with a pretty good player there too, which helps, but obviously just his ability to get open, to work and battle in front of the net, and then capitalize on those opportunities,” said Matthews.
Hyman will be hoping that things continue to go well against his former team tonight. In three career games against the Leafs, Hyman has just a goal and an assist to show for.
We’ll see how he fares when the puck drops at 7 pm MT and 9 pm ET on Sportsnet West and TSN.
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