The Edmonton Oilers are rolling with a three-game win streak, but will they have Zach Hyman return to the lineup on Tuesday night?
After missing the last four games with an undisclosed injury, Hyman was back on the ice with his teammates this morning ahead of Tuesday night’s matchup against the Vegas Golden Knights.
Though he skated, OilersTV’s Tony Brar reported that Hyman was not a regular member of line rotation and instead acted as the team’s extra forward. That may be a sign that he isn’t ready to return, but Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch was not ready to commit to that.
“We’ll decide that tomorrow,” Knoblauch told reporters after practice. “He’s getting very close, but we’ll see.”
“With the way he’s played & how he’s practiced & everything has gone, he’s earned that spot & he’s playing really well with Darnell.”
Coach Knoblauch on Troy Stecher earning a regular spot in the #Oilers lineup.@Enterprise | #LetsGoOilers pic.twitter.com/nN8dGw6VQc
— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) December 2, 2024
Kasperi Kapanen remained in Hyman’s usual spot beside Connor McDavid at practice today. The Finn has played very well for the Oilers since the team claimed off waivers a couple of weeks ago. In three games, all while playing in the top six, Kapanen has tallied a goal and an assist.
If Hyman winds up being healthy enough to draw back into the lineup, it will be interesting to see where Kapanen could be moved to. Perhaps a spot beside Leon Draisaitl on the second line could work as the team is awaiting Viktor Arvidsson to return from injury as well.
Barring any news on Hyman’s return, it does appear the Oilers will trot out a very similar lineup that we saw against both the Colorado Avalanche and Utah Hockey Club. This is the last game of a three-game road trip following an extended five-day break last week.
Tomorrow night’s game in Sin City is set for 8 pm MT and the Oilers will return home for a date with the Columbus Blue Jackets on Thursday.