Edmonton Oilers forward Ryan Nugent-Hopkins is in the lineup for Monday's Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final after being declared a game-time decision due to an undisclosed injury ahead of puck drop.
Nugent-Hopkins is a major contributor to Edmonton's forward group, which is already missing Zach Hyman for the remainder of the playoffs. Nugent-Hopkins plays in all situations and is frequently used on Connor McDavid's wing or deployed as the second-line center if the club unites the captain and Leon Draisaitl on the top unit.
"Yeah, we don't have as much versatility if we are missing a centerman," Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch said before the game, per Sportsnet. "Centermen are so important just to move around, and we don't have a lot of centermen on our roster."
Nugent-Hopkins has recorded 18 points in 18 playoff games this spring, but he hasn't found the scoresheet through two contests against the Florida Panthers.
The series is tied 1-1.
