Illness forces Ryan Nugent-Hopkins to miss the Oilers practice before game 7

An illness forced Ryan Nugent-Hopkins to miss the Edmonton Oilers' practice as the team prepares for the seventh game of the Stanley Cup Finals against the Florida Panthers.

The Oilers held a practice session on Sunday morning, and an important player wasn't on the ice: Ryan Nugent-Hopkins.

He's apparently dealing with an illness.

Multiple sources confirmed that statement:

No Ryan Nugent-Hopkins on the ice at Oilers practice. He's apparently under the weather. Kane is skating in his place with McDavid and Hyman.

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Here's the full lineup seen during the Oilers' practice:

Oilers practice in Sunrise, FL:

• Ryan Nugent-Hopkins* is not on the ice.

Kane* - McDavid - Hyman
Foegele - Draisaitl - Holloway
Janmark - Henrique - Brown
McLeod - Ryan - Perry

Ekholm - Bouchard
Nurse - Broberg
Kulak - Ceci

Skinner
Pickard

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Nugent-Hopkins has been waiting 13 years to get the opportunity to win the Stanley Cup, and he won't go down without giving all he has.

Later, in a press conference, head coach Kris Knoblauch confirmed that Nugent-Hopkins had a "maintenance day," but he'll play in game 7:

"Kris Knoblauch leaves no doubt about Ryan Nugent-Hopkins' status for Game 7. 'Ryan will be playing.' He called missing practice a maintenance day."

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With 21 points in 23 games in the playoffs, Nugent-Hopkins has played a big role in the Oilers' run, and he'll try to keep it going for one more game.

Source: House of Hockey
Oilers star forward Nugent-Hopkins is absent from practice due to illness

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