Wherever Zach Hyman played, he was a fan favorite, whether it was with the Toronto Maple Leafs or the Edmonton Oilers. Last night, the Oilers secured their spot in the Stanley Cup Finals by defeating the Dallas Stars in the Western Conference Finals. This victory could make the Oilers the first Canadian team to win the Stanley Cup since the Montreal Canadiens did in 1993, garnering the support of nearly all hockey fans in Canada as they head into the Finals.
During his post-game comments, Hyman was asked by a reporter about the support from Ottawa Senators fans and the significance of a nation rallying behind his team. His response hinted at some tension with his former team:
The Oilers face a formidable challenge in the Finals against the Florida Panthers, who have already taken down the New York Rangers, Boston Bruins, and Tampa Bay Lightning. Similarly, the Oilers have overcome the Dallas Stars, Vancouver Canucks, and Los Angeles Kings to reach this stage. Hyman has been instrumental in the Oilers' success, contributing 18 points (14 goals) in 18 games, including the game-winning goal against the Stars:
Both teams will have some time to rest before game one, which is scheduled for Saturday. The anticipation is high, with fans across Canada ready to rally behind the Oilers, except, perhaps, for those in Toronto.
