Oilers forward Ryan Nugent-Hopkins played in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final on Monday in Sunrise, Florida.
The versatile forward had missed practice on Sunday due to an undisclosed injury but participated in the team`s optional skate the following morning at Amerant Bank Arena.
Edmonton head coach Kris Knoblauch stated that Nugent-Hopkins would take part in warm-ups and his availability for Game 3 would be a game-time decision, as the series against the Florida Panthers was tied 1-1.
The 32-year-old forward was confirmed to be in the lineup after participating in line rushes on the Oilers` top line with Connor McDavid and Corey Perry during warm-ups.
Meanwhile, Florida winger A.J. Greer returned to the lineup, replacing Jesper Boqvist, after missing the first two games due to injury.
Nugent-Hopkins, the longest-serving player on the Oilers` roster, recorded 20 goals and 29 assists for 49 points in 78 games during the 2024-25 season.
Selected first overall in the 2011 NHL draft, the Burnaby, B.C. native has accumulated 748 career regular-season points (271 goals, 477 assists) in 959 games. He has also added 79 points (22 goals, 57 assists) in 92 playoff games.
Oilers defenseman Brett Kulak praised Nugent-Hopkins before the game, stating, “He`s been a top player for us for a long time… He`s been amazing through our whole playoff run.”
As a key member of both the power-play and penalty-killing units, Nugent-Hopkins provides positional flexibility, able to shift between wing and center, which allows the Oilers to create powerful lines, potentially alongside Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl.
Knoblauch admitted that losing Nugent-Hopkins would significantly impact the team`s strategy.
The coach explained, “We don`t have a lot of centers on our roster… It does change what we can do.”
Veteran winger Jeff Skinner was prepared to step into the lineup if Nugent-Hopkins, who had 5 goals and 13 assists in 18 playoff games before Game 3, was unable to play.
The 33-year-old Skinner scored his first career playoff goal in the Oilers` 6-3 Game 5 win against the Dallas Stars, which clinched the Western Conference Final series. In the 2024-25 regular season, Skinner posted 16 goals and 13 assists for 29 points in 72 games.
Greer rejoined Florida`s fourth line, playing alongside Tomas Nosek and Jonah Gadjovich. The 28-year-old from Joliette, Quebec, has recorded two goals and an assist in 12 playoff appearances this spring.
Neville Woodall