The Oilers could also be down a vital top-six ahead because the Stanley Cup Ultimate shifts to Florida. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins will probably be a game-time resolution for Monday’s Recreation 3 resulting from an undisclosed damage after lacking Sunday’s follow session, head coach Kris Knoblauch informed reporters (together with Tony Brar of Oilers TV).
Nugent-Hopkins didn’t miss a shift in Recreation 2’s double-overtime loss and didn’t miss a recreation resulting from a non-illness-related damage all season lengthy. He’s routinely been beginning video games on the wing with Connor McDavid and Corey Perry, however he’s additionally alternated with Leon Draisaitl because the membership’s second-line heart. When shifted to Draisaitl’s spot between Evander Kane and Kasperi Kapanen later in Recreation 2, David Staples of the Edmonton Journal relays that Kane was taking faceoffs as an alternative of Nugent-Hopkins, pointing to a speculative upper-body concern.
On the heels of an underwhelming common season, Nugent-Hopkins has turned up the warmth within the postseason. The 32-year-old is working at some extent per recreation with a 5-13–18 scoring line regardless of being held off the scoresheet in his final three appearances. He was particularly dominant in Edmonton’s Western Convention Ultimate victory over the Stars, posting a 2-7–9 scoring line in Video games 1 via 4.
A possible Nugent-Hopkins absence with a 2-1 collection lead on the road is exacerbated by the unavailability of common Connor McDavid/RNH linemate Zach Hyman, who sustained a critical wrist damage within the Dallas collection and is completed for the yr. Whereas depth items like Kapanen and Perry have far exceeded expectations when elevated into top-six roles this postseason, there’s rightful concern about consuming too deep into their depth in a seven-game collection in opposition to the defending Stanley Cup champions.
Jeff Skinner, a wholesome scratch for all however two video games in these playoffs, took line rushes in right this moment’s follow in Nugent-Hopkins’ place alongside McDavid and Perry and can presumably enter the lineup if RNH can’t go. In his first profession postseason motion, the veteran of practically 1,100 regular-season video games has a objective and an help over his pair of appearances.
