SUNRISE, Fla. — Ryan Nugent-Hopkins was confirmed in the Oilers` lineup for Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final on Monday.
The versatile forward had missed Sunday`s practice due to an undisclosed injury but participated in the optional morning skate about 24 hours later at Amerant Bank Arena.
Edmonton head coach Kris Knoblauch had previously stated Nugent-Hopkins would participate in warm-ups and be a game-time decision, with the series against the Florida Panthers tied 1-1.
Ahead of the game, the 32-year-old forward took line rushes in his usual position on the Oilers` top line with Connor McDavid and Corey Perry, confirming his availability.
Meanwhile, Florida winger A.J. Greer returned to action after missing the first two games of the final, replacing Jesper Boqvist.
As the longest-tenured player on the Oilers roster, Nugent-Hopkins recorded 49 points (20 goals, 29 assists) in 78 games during the 2024-25 season.
The 2011 first overall draft pick from Burnaby, B.C., holds a career total of 748 points (271 goals, 477 assists) over 959 regular-season games. He has also accumulated 79 points (22 goals, 57 assists) in 92 career playoff appearances.
He`s been a top player for us for a long time… He`s been amazing through our whole playoff run.
Oilers defenseman Brett Kulak praised Nugent-Hopkins before Monday`s game, stating, “He`s been a top player for us for a long time… He`s been amazing through our whole playoff run.”
Nugent-Hopkins is a key contributor on both the top power-play and penalty-killing units, providing positional flexibility for the Oilers, able to shift from wing to center, particularly when the team opts to stack a line with McDavid and Leon Draisaitl.
Coach Knoblauch acknowledged that Nugent-Hopkins` absence would have presented a significant challenge.
We don`t have a lot of centers on our roster… It does change what we can do.
Knoblauch commented on the team`s depth at center, saying, “We don`t have a lot of centers on our roster… It does change what we can do.”
Veteran winger Jeff Skinner had been preparing as a potential replacement had Nugent-Hopkins been unable to play. Nugent-Hopkins had five goals and 13 assists in 18 playoff games prior to Monday.
The 33-year-old Skinner scored his first career playoff goal during the Oilers` 6-3 series-clinching win in Game 5 of the Western Conference final against the Dallas Stars. Skinner finished the 2024-25 regular season with 29 points (16 goals, 13 assists) in 72 games for Edmonton.
Greer rejoined Florida`s effective fourth line, playing alongside Tomas Nosek and Jonah Gadjovich. The 28-year-old from Joliette, Quebec, had recorded two goals and one assist in 12 playoff games heading into Monday.