Edmonton Oilers face playoff uncertainty as Zach Hyman, Mattias Ekholm injuries mount

TOI Sports Desk / TIMESOFINDIA.COM / Apr 12, 2025, 11:09 IST

Text Size

Small
Medium
Large

The Edmonton Oilers are facing a tough playoff push as key injuries to Zach Hyman and Mattias Ekholm add to an already depleted roster. Despite Connor McDavid’s strong return, the team’s depth is under pressure with just three games left. Sitting third in the Pacific Division, the Oilers must overcome mounting setbacks to stay in the postseason race.

Edmonton Oilers face playoff uncertainty as Zach Hyman, Mattias Ekholm injuries mount

Connor McDavid, Mattias Ekholm and Leon Draisaitl (via: Getty Images)

The Edmonton Oilers are facing a playoff nightmare as injuries continue to pile up late in the season. With key players like Zach Hyman and Mattias Ekholm going down in a crucial game against the Sharks, Edmonton’s depth is being stretched to its limits. As the regular season winds down, the Oilers’ playoff hopes are suddenly clouded by uncertainty and a dangerously thin roster.

Injury woes deepen as Oilers lose Hyman and Ekholm before playoff push

GOTTA SEE IT: Connor McDavid Wins 4 Nations Face-Off For Canada In Overtime

Friday’s game against the San Jose Sharks delivered more bad news than good. Veteran defenseman Mattias Ekholm and top goal-scorer Zach Hyman both exited early due to injuries, adding to Edmonton’s growing list of sidelined stars.

Ekholm, just back after missing seven games, logged under two minutes before leaving in the first period. His physicality and defensive IQ have been sorely missed, and his latest setback leaves another gap on the blue line. Hyman’s departure came in the second period following a hard hit from Henry Thrun. With 44 points this season, including 27 goals, his absence could significantly hurt Edmonton’s offensive output.
These losses join an already crowded injury report that includes Leon Draisaitl, Evander Kane, Jake Walman, and Trent Frederic, a brutal blow to the team’s core just three games shy of the postseason.

Connor McDavid shines in return, but Oilers’ playoff path remains fragile

Despite the challenges, the Oilers pulled off a 4-3 win earlier in the week against the St. Louis Blues, thanks to the return of Connor McDavid. Back after missing eight games, McDavid wasted no time making an impact, notching three assists including a clutch setup for the game-winner with 21 seconds left. His leadership and energy were on full display, but even he can’t do it alone.
Also Read: No more chasing—Alex Ovechkin’s hitting back as Capitals surge to top
Currently sitting third in the Pacific Division with a 45-28-5 record and 95 points, Edmonton still controls its playoff destiny. But with the lineup decimated and no clear timeline for key returns, the final stretch is anything but secure.
If the Oilers hope to make a serious postseason run, their depth will need to rise to the occasion fast. The margin for error is gone, and Edmonton is now skating against the clock.

Get the latest IPL 2025 updates on Times of India, including match schedules, team squads, points table and IPL live score for CSK, MI, RCB, KKR, SRH, LSG, DC, GT, PBKS, and RR. Don't miss the list of players in the race for IPL Orange Cap and IPL Purple cap.

About the Author

TOI Sports Desk

The TOI Sports Desk excels in a myriad of roles that capture the essence of live sporting events and deliver compelling content to readers worldwide. From running live blogs for India and non-India cricket matches to global spectacles featuring Indian talents, like the Chess World Cup final featuring Praggnanandhaa and the Badminton World Championships semifinal featuring HS Prannoy, our live coverage extends to all mega sporting events. We extensively cover events like the Olympics, Asian Games, Cricket World Cups, FIFA World Cups, and more. The desk is also adept at writing comprehensive match reports and insightful post-match commentary, complemented by stats-based articles that provide an in-depth analysis of player performances and team dynamics. We track news wires for key stories, conduct exclusive player interviews in both text and video formats, and file content from print editions and reporters. We keep track of all viral stories, trending topics and produce our own copies on the subjects. We deliver accurate, engaging, and up-to-the-minute sports content, round the clock.

End of Article