Edmonton Oilers one win away from Stanley Cup final, lose Hyman to injury

The Edmonton Oilers are just one win away from another shot at the Stanley Cup.

Fuelled by power-play production, gritty depth play, and a standout performance by goaltender Stuart Skinner, the Oilers defeated the Dallas Stars 4–1 in Game 4 of the Western Conference Final on Tuesday night at Rogers Place, taking a 3–1 series lead. But the win came at a cost: the loss of workhorse winger Zach Hyman to injury.

Draisaitl, Perry lead the way

Leon Draisaitl and veteran Corey Perry each tallied a goal and an assist on the power play, while Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Connor McDavid collected two assists apiece. Kasperi Kapanen and Adam Henrique sealed the deal with empty-net goals as Edmonton extended its win streak to three games in the series, outscoring Dallas 13–2 since a Game 1 collapse.

“It wasn’t easy,” said Draisaitl, who now has seven goals in the playoffs. “They’re a top team and are going to have their pushes. But we’ve managed those momentum swings well. And Stuart [Skinner] has been unbelievable when we needed him.”

Skinner, indeed, was stellar—making 28 saves and backstopping a team that’s now a perfect 9–0 in Game 4s over their last three postseasons.

Early loss of Hyman a major blow

Despite the lopsided scoreline, the Oilers suffered a significant blow early in the game. Zach Hyman, who led the NHL with 109 playoff hits heading into Tuesday’s contest, left midway through the first period after taking a glancing hit from Dallas’ Mason Marchment. Hyman, 32, immediately dropped his stick, clutching his right arm, and went straight to the dressing room.

Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch had no update on Hyman’s condition after the game but praised the team’s response.

“Everyone stepped up,” Knoblauch said. “Guys elevated their game. It was a complete effort.”

Knoblauch redistributed Hyman’s minutes across the forward group, with Corey Perry and Trent Frederic seeing shifts alongside McDavid, while Draisaitl was double-shifted in the third. Edmonton’s bottom-six forwards also stepped up, including a strong outing from the reunited line of Vasily Podkolzin, Mattias Janmark, and Viktor Arvidsson.

Podkolzin led all skaters with eight hits, and the Oilers out-hit the Stars 50–24 overall—underscoring their physical dominance.

“It’s a big loss,” said Nugent-Hopkins, who has nine points through four games in this series—matching Wayne Gretzky’s mark from 1987. “Zach’s leadership, his physicality, his relentlessness—it sets the tone. But you saw the guys fill that gap.”

Power play stays hot, Skinner stays calm

Draisaitl opened the scoring midway through the first period with a one-timer from a tight angle. After Jason Robertson tied it for Dallas on the power play in the second period, Nugent-Hopkins again facilitated a beautiful man-advantage goal—this time setting up Perry for a tap-in.

Perry, at 40 years old, became just the fifth player his age or older to score in a conference final.

The Oilers controlled the third period and added insurance through Kapanen and Henrique’s empty-netters.

Skinner, now firmly in rhythm after early-round struggles, praised the team’s commitment: “Blocking shots, sticking to the system—every guy is doing their part. I’m just trying to do mine.”

Stars on the ropes

Dallas finds itself one loss away from back-to-back eliminations in the Western Conference Final at the hands of Edmonton. Mikko Rantanen, who has gone scoreless in seven straight games after a hot start to the playoffs, emphasized urgency heading into Game 5.

“It’s not over until someone wins four,” he said. “We’ve got home ice next. We just have to win one.”

Dallas goaltender Jake Oettinger made 29 saves but dropped to 5–11 all-time in conference finals. Roope Hintz returned to the lineup for Dallas after missing Game 3 due to injury.

Game 5 is set for Thursday night in Dallas, where the Oilers could punch their ticket to the Stanley Cup Final for the second consecutive year. Edmonton may have to do it without Hyman, one of their most consistent postseason contributors both on the scoresheet and the forecheck.

But the team, inspired by his example, isn’t fazed.

“He’s a huge piece,” said Skinner. “But this group has heart. We’re ready to step up.”