Oilers’ Nugent-Hopkins to Play in Stanley Cup Final Game 3

SUNRISE, Fla. — Edmonton Oilers forward Ryan Nugent-Hopkins will play in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final against the Florida Panthers on Monday night. Nugent-Hopkins was a game-time decision due to an undisclosed injury that kept him from practicing on Sunday.

Coach Kris Knoblauch confirmed Nugent-Hopkins’s status after the morning skate, stating, “He’ll take warmup and we’ll decide from there.” The 32-year-old has been a vital player for the Oilers, contributing 18 points in 18 playoff games this season, including five goals.

In the last game, Nugent-Hopkins played 25:45 in a double-overtime loss to the Panthers, which evened the series at 1-1. He had previously scored 49 points, including 20 goals, in the regular season.

Without Nugent-Hopkins, the Oilers would face additional challenges. The team is already missing forward Zach Hyman, who underwent wrist surgery and is out for the season. Skinner, who has one goal and one assist in the playoffs, had stepped in on the top line during Nugent-Hopkins’s absence.

“He’s been amazing throughout the whole playoff run,” said Oilers defenseman Brett Kulak about Nugent-Hopkins. “It was nice to see him on the ice there this morning.”

The Panthers took Game 1 in overtime, while the Oilers leveled the series with a win in the second game. The last time both teams faced off in the Cup Final, they split the first two games.

Edmonton hopes to leverage their familiarity with the Amerant Bank Arena, having played there last season. “There’s a comfort level in that,” said forward Connor Brown. “You kind of know what to expect.”

The Oilers look to harness that experience as they take on the Panthers in a battle for the lead in the best-of-seven series.