Devastating News Confirmed for Former Maple Leaf Zach Hyman as Playoff Run Ends

The season is sadly over for Edmonton Oilers forward Zach Hyman, as it was announced he would need surgery after being hit by Mason Marchment during Game 4 on Tuesday night.

The news was announced by head coach Kris Knoblauch on Wednesday morning, and giving Edmonton's playoff hopes a serious setback.

Of anyone to get hurt on the Oilers, there's three you really don't want: Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl and Hyman.

Having been one of the team's most consistent and reliable playoff performers, being up towards the top of several offensive categories.

He's also doing it physically too, adding 164 hits over the last two seasons including a blistering 109 this year.

Losing Hyman, who was as big a part of the team's success as their top stars, is going to seriously dampen Edmonton's chances, not only because of his offense, but now Dallas doesn't need to worry about being run over at every chance; it might give them enough space to do damage.

Hyman played in 15 games, adding 11 points (5G, 6A) and a plus-10 rating.

While it won't really be the absolute downfall of the Oilers, they'll need to now rely more heavily on McDavid and Draisaitl; not to mention other bit players like Evander Kane, Connor Brown, and Adam Henrique to start contributing more.

They'll need to make sure they also keep Mikko Rantanen at bay, and without Hyman scouting him around the ice, there's a big chance that he starts to find a real groove right when Edmonton needs it the least.

There's nothing to say that Edmonton can't win one more game without Hyman, but heading into a potential Cup rematch with the Panthers; that's a massive loss.

But they'll need to band together and figure out a plan without Hyman, or they're going to be headed to either a stunning comeback defeat, or a thrashing in the Cup Finals.

Either way it stings.