Illness leaves Ryan Nugent-Hopkins questionable for Edmonton Oilers game against Boston Bruins

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins is set to miss his first game of the season on Wednesday night against the Boston Bruins.

The 30-year-old has appeared in all 52 of the Oilers’ games this season, but is dealing with an illness that will likely keep him out of the lineup, according to our own Jason Gregor.

Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch said Nugent-Hopkins was questionable for the game.

Meanwhile, the Oilers adjusted their lines with Nugent-Hopkins set to be out. Warren Foegele was elevated up the lineup to the first line alongside Connor McDavid and Zach Hyman. This will be the first time we’ve seen this trio play together.

The Oilers’ second line will see Ryan McLeod remain elevated up the lineup, playing alongside Evander Kane and Leon Draisaitl. These three were put together late against the Arizona Coyotes on Monday, and Kane scored 4:28 into the third period to tie the game at three.

Dylan Holloway will center the Oilers’ third line alongside Mattias Janmark and Corey Perry, while the fourth line will feature Sam Gagner, Derek Ryan and Connor Brown.

Should he miss the game, there’s no word yet on who will replace Nugent-Hopkins on the power play. However, the logical choice would be for Kane to fill in Nugent-Hopkins’ bumper position.

The defensive pairings are set to remain the same, while Stuart Skinner gets the start.

In 52 games this year, Nugent-Hopkins has kept up his offensively productive ways with 15 goals and 49 points. While his output isn’t quite on the torrid pace it was last season, when he scored career highs in goals (37), assists (67), and points (104), his current .94 point-per-game pace would tie the second-highest mark of his career.

According to hockeyviz.com, Nugent-Hopkins has provided even-strength offence at a 15 percent rate above league average, and defence at a seven percent rate above league average.

Zach Laing is the Nation Network’s news director and senior columnist. He can be followed on Twitter at @zjlaing, or reached by email at zach@thenationnetwork.com.

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