Oilers Welcome Nugent-Hopkins Back for Saturday Showdown Against Kraken
The Edmonton Oilers are poised for an important matchup against the Seattle Kraken this Saturday, fortified by the return of forward Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. He has been sidelined for three weeks due to an undisclosed injury, last appearing in a game on November 9 against the Colorado Avalanche.
Nugent-Hopkins Returns to the Lineup
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins practiced with the team on Friday, centering the third line alongside Mattias Janmark and Adam Henrique. He was officially activated from the injured reserve list on Saturday.
Head coach Kris Knoblauch praised Nugent-Hopkins’ contributions, noting his versatility and impact on the team’s performance. “He’s a tremendous teammate,” Knoblauch remarked. “We have missed him, and it’ll be nice having him back.”
Key Contributions
- Nugent-Hopkins has accumulated five goals and 11 assists, totaling 16 points in 16 games this season.
- He is crucial to the team’s power play and can adjust to various roles, including playing in the top six or as a center.
Lazar Also Returns
Alongside Nugent-Hopkins, forward Curtis Lazar will make his return. He has been out since November 17 due to an upper-body injury. This season, Lazar has one goal in nine games.
Upcoming Matchup Details
On the other hand, the Oilers will be without forwards Jack Roslovic and Kasperi Kapanen for this Saturday’s game. Currently, the Oilers hold a record of 10-10-5 and sit in sixth place in the Pacific Division with 25 points over 25 games.
As the Oilers head into this crucial game, the return of both Nugent-Hopkins and Lazar could prove vital in enhancing the team’s overall performance against the Kraken.
