Luck, circumstances dictate NHL shot success: Oilers coach [Video]

Zach Hyman and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins have feasted on National Hockey League goaltending in recent years.

At the beginning of this NHL campaign, however, the top-six Edmonton Oilers forwards are weathering puck-luck famines.

Hyman, 32, led the Oilers in goal-scoring last season with a career-high 54, good for third in the league and converting 18.6 per cent of his shots.

Two years ago, Nugent-Hopkins recorded 37 goals – also a career high for the 31-year-old – while scoring at an 18.6-per-cent rate.

So far in 2024-25, both are languishing in the red-lamp-lighting department and well back of the league average shooting percentage of 10.5.

Hyman sports a 5.9-per-cent shooting percentage on three goals, while Nugent-Hopkins sits at 4.6 per cent on two goals scored.

Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch said Tuesday “a lot of luck and a lot of circumstances” dictate a player’s success scoring goals.

…