$38,500,000 Oilers forward makes his thoughts clear about Connor McDavid’s absence in loss to Caps

Edmonton Oilers forward Zach Hyman spoke about the team’s 3-2 loss to the Washington Capitals without captain Connor McDavid. Hyman, who is on a seven-year, $38,500,000 contract, talked to the media after the loss.

McDavid was suspended for three games after cross-checking Vancouver Canucks forward Conor Garland on Jan. 18. The incident happened in the last moments of the game with the Canucks leading 3-2. In the final few seconds, Garland pinned McDavid on the ice, following which McDavid cross-checked him to the head in frustration.

"You're missing the best player in the world, it's a little bit different look..." Hyman said postgame. "We have two more games without him here, so a little bit more practice on it."

Connor McDavid, who has 20 goals and 45 assists in 43 games this season, is crucial to the Oilers. The team announced their disappointment in the suspension but showed support for McDavid.

"The Oilers organization is disappointed and we share in our fans' frustration over the three-game suspension of our captain Connor McDavid. We support him through this process and the organization and our fans look forward to having him back in the lineup vs. Seattle next week," the Oilers said in a statement.

McDavid will miss games against Vancouver and the Buffalo Sabres next, before returning against the Seattle Kraken.

Edmonton Oilers played a strong defensive game in Connor McDavid's absence

The Oilers lost 3-2 to the Capitals, despite outshooting them 32-14. Edmonton was dominant in the faceoffs with 53.3% but lacked in accuracy.

Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch praised the team for their defensive effort.

"I think that’s one of our better games that we’ve played defensively," Knoblauch said via NHL.com, "I don’t think we gave up very much, a couple off the rush, yes. We’re never going to play a perfect game, the other team is going to get scoring chances but I don’t think there were very many tonight.”

Leon Draisaitl put the Oilers ahead 1-0 in the first period before Tom Wilson tied it 1-1 for Washington with a goal in the first.

In the second period, Matt Roy gave the Capitals a 2-1 lead with a slap shot. Pierre-Luc Dubois then scored at 3:49 of the third period, making it 3-1 for Washington before Corey Perry responded for the Oilers, cutting the lead to 3-2 with a goal at 4:50.

Despite the effort, the Oilers couldn’t score again. Logan Thompson made 30 saves for the Capitals. Stuart Skinner had 11 saves for the Oilers.

The Oilers host the Canucks next at Rogers Place on Thursday.