Oilers’ Ryan Nugent-Hopkins under the weather, but will play Game 7

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SUNRISE, FLA. — It was sunny and hot here Sunday.

But Ryan Nugent-Hopkins was under the weather.

The longest-serving Edmonton Oilers player didn’t skate with the team at Amerant Arena, staying at the team hotel. Evander Kane was the place-holder on the top line with Connor McDvaid and Zach Hyman for the short practice before Game 7 Monday night against Florida Panthers.

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Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch, said not to worry about RNH. He’s playing.

He’ll be out there, with the Oilers one step from their first Stanley Cup in 34 years. He would be playing Monday if strapped to an IV pole.

“Monday is 13 years exactly from when he was drafted (2011, first overall),” said Knoblauch. “He’s been in the organization for a very long time. Players have a lot of respect for him because he’s seen it all, seen a lot of down years, not making the playoffs, the playoff disappointments.”

“Now we have the opportunity to win that last game of the season. I think everyone’s very happy for him,” said Knoblauch.

“You think of Connor and Leon (Draisaitl) as being the central points of our team because they are the two stars. But Ryan has a lot to do with the team also. He’s  a big part of our penalty kill, a big part of our power play, usually playing on our top line or our second line.”

Knoblauch also said Kane was a possibility to play after sitting the last four games with an injury. But he’s said that for the last 10 days, and with three straight wins, why mess with a winning lineup?

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