Dallas Stars’ Thomas Harley ‘happy’ he doesn’t have to face Zach Hyman for rest of WCF series

Dallas Stars defenceman Thomas Harley mentioned on Thursday he is glad he would not should go up towards Edmonton Oilers winger Zach Hyman once more this postseason.

It was introduced on Wednesday that Hyman would want surgical procedure for an upper-body damage after he was injured in Recreation 4 of the Western Convention Finals. He’s doubtless executed for the playoffs. 

Hyman was hit by Stars ahead Mason Marchment on Tuesday halfway via the primary interval. He dropped his persist with the ice and instantly departed for the dressing room favouring his proper arm. 

The Stars are at present down 3-1 within the collection with Hyman recording two targets and an help in a dominant 6-1 win for the Oilers in Recreation 3. Recreation 5 goes tonight in Dallas. 

“I’m happy he’s not playing,” mentioned Harley. “Obviously, injuries suck, but he’s a good player and if he’s not on their team, they’re a little bit worse.”

The 32-year-old has 5 targets and 11 factors in 15 postseason video games this yr. Within the common season, he had 27 targets and 44 factors in 73 video games. 

“He’s put everything out there,” mentioned Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch on Wednesday. “Scoring key goals, but the physical department, how many hits he had and his two-way play was tremendous. Now that we’re going to be missing him, we’re going to need other guys to step up.”  

Skinner to attract in with Hyman out

With Hyman out, it seems Jeff Skinner will draw into the lineup for the primary time for the reason that first spherical of the playoffs.

Skinner posted an assists and was minus-2 in his lone playoff sport this spring, coming towards the Los Angeles Kings on April 21. He had 16 targets and 29 factors in 72 video games in the course of the common season. 

Skinner labored on a line with Adam Henrique and Trent Frederic in Thursday’s morning skate. 

The Oilers can arrange a rematch of the 2024 Stanley Cup Remaining with a win on Thursday.