Is veteran Ryan Nugent-Hopkins of the Edmonton Oilers nearing another pivotal moment in his career?
On Wednesday night against the Minnesota Wild, Edmonton Oilers winger Ryan Nugent-Hopkins delivered a beautiful deflection to tie the game at 3-3.
Nugent-Hopkins has faced challenges generating offense at five-on-five this season, making the goal a much-needed boost.
Typically a fixture on the top line due to his strong two-way play, Nugent-Hopkins shifted down the lineup against the Wild. He moved from left wing to center, playing alongside wingers Vasily Podkolzin and Viktor Arvidsson for most of the game.
The trio had an impressive showing at five-on-five, outscoring the opposition 2-0. Nugent-Hopkins also recorded just his second five-on-five point of the season without Connor McDavid.
It’s been an unusual season for the veteran forward. While his five-on-five goal share (52%) remains solid and his power-play production exceeds 5.00 points per 60 minutes, his five-on-five scoring has been a concern. Until Wednesday’s game, it had become a growing issue.
As the team contemplates utilizing his versatility in a new role, the question remains: is Nugent-Hopkins ready to rise to the challenge?
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