The Edmonton Oilers added one other ahead to the COVID protocol, and this time it’s somebody with a little bit extra accountability. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins joins Ryan McLeod and Devin Shore on the sidelines, unavailable for Saturday night time’s recreation towards the Seattle Kraken.
Notably, Nugent-Hopkins performed almost 20 minutes final night time towards the Columbus Blue Jackets.
It’s an important time for the Oilers, which acquired again within the win column with a robust efficiency towards Columbus however are nonetheless simply 4-6 over their final 10 video games. The workforce has slipped out of the divisional playoff spots within the Pacific, two factors behind the surging Vegas Golden Knights and struggling Calgary Flames. With the Los Angeles Kings, San Jose Sharks and even the abruptly red-hot Vancouver Canucks nipping at their heels, shedding a key participant like Nugent-Hopkins actually isn’t an excellent state of affairs.
The 28-year-old ahead is having an excellent season, at the least when it comes to level totals. Although he’s recorded simply three objectives, Nugent-Hopkins is among the many league leaders with 22 assists in 28 video games. With Edmonton struggling to attain of late, another person must step in to that offensive function if the workforce desires to get again on monitor.
