The versatile forward was not on the ice for practice on Tuesday in what the Oilers called a maintenance day.
Nugent-Hopkins was a game-time decision for Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final with an undisclosed injury, but he ultimately played and had one shot on goal in 15:34 of ice time.
The Oilers are already without Zach Hyman so being without a forward like Nugent-Hopkins will seriously test the team’s depth. Jeff Skinner would play on the top line alongside Connor McDavid and Corey Perry if Nugent-Hopkins isn’t able to play in Game 4.
“Yeah, we don’t have as much versatility if we are missing a centreman,” Knoblauch told reporters ahead of Game 3. “Centremen are so important just to move around, and we don’t have a lot of centermen on our roster.”
For most of the playoffs, Nugent-Hopkins has played valuable minutes on the penalty kill and provides versatility as a centre and winger. If Edmonton wants to play McDavid and Leon Draisaitl together when trailing later in a game, Nugent-Hopkins is capable of moving off the wing and to the second-line centre spot.
The 32-year-old continues to bring valuable production for the Oilers in the playoffs, scoring five goals and 18 points in 19 games. Last season he had seven goals and 22 points during the Oilers’ run to the Cup Final.
The Panthers hold a 2-1 series lead in the Stanley Cup Final after a convincing 6-1 victory in Game 3. You can catch Game 4 on Thursday on Sportsnet and Sportsnet+ at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT.
