Hyman injury gives Podkolzin a place beside McDavid and Draisaitl

Zach Hyman’s absence gave Vasily Podkolzin a place alongside Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl in Edmonton’s 9-7 win at Vancouver on Thursday. Their line combined for four goals and 10 points, according to Sportsnet. Sportsnet’s game report

Podkolzin also replaced Hyman on the top power-play unit and finished with a goal and an assist. Draisaitl scored twice and added an assist, while McDavid had a goal and four assists. The Oilers’ game report

Hyman’s return remains unclear

Hyman missed Thursday’s game with an upper-body injury and is listed day to day. Coach Mike Babcock suggested that the designation could mean a longer absence.

“I told you I think that (day to day) means two weeks, right?” Babcock said, according to NHL.com.

That remark did not establish a firm return date. Babcock said Hyman was injured in the final preseason game against Calgary on Saturday, although he played 20:33 in Tuesday’s opener against Vancouver. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins is also out after a lower-body injury in Monday’s practice. Edmonton placed him on injured reserve Wednesday and recalled Josh Samanski from Bakersfield under emergency conditions. NHL.com’s injury report

Opportunities beyond the top line

Owen Michaels scored his first NHL goal Thursday, converting Mathieu Joseph’s pass from behind the net. His goal came during the same first period in which Podkolzin scored. Edmonton built an 8-2 lead before Vancouver narrowed the margin. The Oilers’ scoring summary

Hyman scored 31 goals last season, including 10 on the power play. His absence removes an established scorer from a unit that led the NHL at 30.6 percent. NHL.com’s season context

Edmonton’s next game is Saturday at home against Seattle. Read more about McDavid’s five-point night and the team’s Gretzky helmet award.

Photograph: Jenn G (jennthulhu), via Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0. Resized and cropped for display under CC BY-SA 2.0.