Edmonton Oilers get good news injury update on Hyman before playoffs
The Edmonton Oilers have gotten some great news regarding one of their injured star players ahead of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Zach Hyman and Leon Draisaitl have been the two big question marks heading into the postseason. Both players have been out of the lineup throughout the final stretch of the regular season, and there was a bit of fear that the team may have to open up the playoffs without them.
Draisaitl addressed the media on Monday, but didn’t have any concrete answers on his availability for Game 1. However, there does appear to be more positive news on the Hyman front.
The 33-year-old winger was a full participant in Wednesday’s practice, skating on the top line alongside Connor McDavid and Matt Savoie. After the skate, Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch confirmed that Hyman will draw back into the lineup for Thursday night’s regular-season finale against the Vancouver Canucks.
“It’s nice having a big-time goal scorer back in your lineup,” Knoblauch said. “Especially after the last two games where we’ve fallen a little short. We’ve played well but have not been able to put the puck in the net, and that is what Zach is really good at.
“We wanted him healthy and ready for the playoffs. We also feel that Zach felt comfortable getting a game in before he hits the playoffs and he’s cleared, and he’s healthy.”
"It's nice having a big-time goal scorer back in your lineup."
Coach Knoblauch weighs in on the return of Zach Hyman to the #Oilers lineup after being held to one goal in their last two games. @Enterprise | #LetsGoOilers pic.twitter.com/z1NGRM3L6A
— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) April 15, 2026
Tomorrow will not be a meaningless game for this Oilers squad. In fact, it might be the most important game of the entire season. The result against the Canucks will factor into who Edmonton will meet in the first round of the playoffs.
At the moment, there are several possibilities that hinge on the results of games being played on Wednesday and Thursday night.
We still do not know what exact injury Hyman was suffering from. He talked to reporters and mentioned that he was dealing with a lingering issue, but he didn’t divulge any more details.
“I’m excited to be back,” Hyman told reporters. “It’s never easy to sit out and to not play games. It was something that was lingering, and I just wanted to get it taken care of. It was getting worse, and now it’s getting better, and it feels good.”
"Just gotta win, that's it… It's quite the swing."
Zach Hyman on the implications of the #Oilers final game of the regular season being the deciding factor of where they finish in the Pacific Division. @Enterprise | #LetsGoOilers pic.twitter.com/Nj3hea8jBp
— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) April 15, 2026
There has been no official word on when Game 1 of the playoffs will be for the Oilers.
With Hyman returning to the lineup, all eyes will now shift to Draisaitl as he works to get healthy in time for the start of another playoff run.