EDMONTON, AB - It's official.
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins is good to go.
The Oilers centre sustained a rib injury on Jan. 13, against the Vegas Golden Knights, missing the past 18 games. Prior to being sidelined, Nugent-Hopkins was playing with confidence, tallying 16 goals and 15 assists in 46 games. He still sits third on the team in scoring.
"He was having one of his best offensive seasons in a long time," said Oilers Head Coach Todd McLellan. "Part of that was because he added a little bit of risk to his game."
Nugent-Hopkins said himself that he was feeling determined before being injured. He's come back from injuries in the past and believes the first game back is easier than the second.
"When you start feeling good like that, it's definitely tough to get an injury and miss as many games as I did," he said.
McLellan isn't expecting Nugent-Hopkins to produce at the same form as he did before his ribs were cracked but would like to see RNH continue taking calculated risks that could lead to offence.
"He's such a responsible player that he always seemed to be on the defensive side," said McLellan. "It felt like he was taking more risk and being more productive with it. We need him to get back to that. To expect him to go out and lead the team right now and be the go-to guy is tough after he's been out."
RNH was between Michael Cammalleri and Pontus Aberg at the morning skate.
"I watched a couple games with Bergy (Aberg) now," said Nugent-Hopkins. "I won't know his game until I get out there and start playing with him. I know he's got a good shot - both those guys actually have a good shot - so I'll be trying to find them both tonight."
MORALE BOOST
Of course, there's always a bit of a boost to the dressing room any time a key player returns from injury. That's the case with Nugent-Hopkins.
"Having a guy like that come back, it's a huge help," said Jujhar Khaira. "He's been a piece that's been missing. Whenever he's playing, it makes it a lot easier for everyone else on the ice."
For young centres on the team - like Khaira - Nugent-Hopkins is a model for playing the pivot position.
"Just his defensive game - everybody knows his offensive game is so strong - but something that gets passed up is his defensive game," Khaira, who is centring the Oilers fourth line tonight, said.
"I watch him play very close when I'm on the bench. He rarely makes mistakes."
Nugent-Hopkins' projected winger Cammalleri shared a similar sentiment.
"He's a player that plays the whole game and provides a lot of stability up the middle for this team," he said. "Everybody's anxious to have him back."
LINEUP NOTES
Lucic - McDavid - Draisaitl
Cammalleri - Nugent-Hopkins - Aberg
Puljujarvi - Strome - Slepyshev
Pakarinen - Khaira - Kassian
Nurse - Russell
Klefbom - Benning
Sekera - Bear
Talbot
-- Paul Gazzola, EdmontonOilers.com
