Oilers provide update on Ryan Nugent-Hopkins before Game 3 of Cup Final

Nugent-Hopkins missed practice yesterday, and was labelled a game time decision by Oilers coach Knoblauch. The Oilers seemed optimistic Nuge would play, and being on the ice today is surely a good sign.

Although Nuge did get on the ice for today's optional skate, TSN insider Ryan Rishaug revealed that he did join the practice late, and was only lightly handled some pucks.

Speaking to the media, Oilers coach Knoblauch said that Nuge is still classified as a game-time decision. However, Jeff Skinner also spoke to media today after practicing like he would play.

Some Oilers fans noticed a dip in Nugent-Hopkins play through the first two games of the Cup Final, after a fantastic series against Dallas. In Game 2, Nuge eventually began to defer to Evander Kane on faceoffs - and his faceoff percentage has fallen 8% from his regular season rate.

Also tenderly handling pucks at practice, it does look possible that Nugent-Hopkins is dealing with an injury - but that's not unusual for this time of year.

He's an essential player to the Oilers, and will be in the lineup if it's at all physically possible. The Oilers will line up with RNH on the top line, but Skinner may draw in if Nuge doesn't play.

Oilers insider Jason Gregor revealed that he expects Nugent-Hopkins to get in the lineup, and that the Florida Panthers will also get grinder forward AJ Greer back on their fourth line.

Game 3 tonight begins at 6:00PM MT for Edmonton's first road game of the Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, Florida.