Illness forces Ryan Nugent-Hopkins to miss the Oilers practice before game 7

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Julien Trekker
June 23, 2024 (2:06 PM)

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An illness forced Ryan Nugent-Hopkins to miss the Edmonton Oilers' practice as the team prepares for the seventh game of the Stanley Cup Finals against the Florida Panthers.

The Oilers held a practice session on Sunday morning, and an important player wasn't on the ice: Ryan Nugent-Hopkins.

He's apparently dealing with an illness.

Multiple sources confirmed that statement:

No Ryan Nugent-Hopkins on the ice at Oilers practice. He's apparently under the weather. Kane is skating in his place with McDavid and Hyman.

Here's the full lineup seen during the Oilers' practice:

Oilers practice in Sunrise, FL:

� Ryan Nugent-Hopkins* is not on the ice.

Kane* - McDavid - Hyman
Foegele - Draisaitl - Holloway
Janmark - Henrique - Brown
McLeod - Ryan - Perry

Ekholm - Bouchard
Nurse - Broberg
Kulak - Ceci

Skinner
Pickard

Nugent-Hopkins has been waiting 13 years to get the opportunity to win the Stanley Cup, and he won't go down without giving all he has.

Later, in a press conference, head coach Kris Knoblauch confirmed that Nugent-Hopkins had a "maintenance day," but he'll play in game 7:

"Kris Knoblauch leaves no doubt about Ryan Nugent-Hopkins' status for Game 7. 'Ryan will be playing.' He called missing practice a maintenance day."

With 21 points in 23 games in the playoffs, Nugent-Hopkins has played a big role in the Oilers' run, and he'll try to keep it going for one more game.

Source: House of Hockey
Oilers star forward Nugent-Hopkins is absent from practice due to illness