Edmonton Oilers reveal new plan for Nugent-Hopkins following another big game
The Edmonton Oilers demolished the Utah Hockey Club to the tune of a 7-1 victory on Tuesday night, largely thanks to another big game from Ryan Nugent-Hopkins.
A goal and two assists made it the second-straight three-point outing for Nugent-Hopkins and it came while playing in a different spot in the lineup than usual. Rather than being on Connor McDavid’s left wing, the longest-tenured Oilers player has instead been playing as Edmonton’s third-line centre alongside Vasily Podkolzin and Viktor Arvidsson.
All three of those players found the back of the net last night, but the talk of the town was Nugent-Hopkins as he seems to be finally breaking out of the offensive funk he’s been in all season.
Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch told reporters that they don’t plan on changing up a good thing with the Nuge.
“He can certainly move back to left wing, we know that can be useful for us,” Knoblauch said. “But right now, he looks great [at center] and we’re gonna ride it for a while.”
"Picks made some big saves early in the game… He made those saves & we kind of took over the game & were opportunistic."
Coach Knoblauch on Pickard's performance & the #Oilers start vs. Utah.@Enterprise | #LetsGoOilers pic.twitter.com/bU839Ns3or
— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) March 19, 2025
With six points in his last two games, Nugent-Hopkins is now up to 17 goals and 45 points on the season. For the full season, he is on pace for 54 points, which would be his lowest since getting just 50 in 2021-22.
For the better part of the past few seasons, he has shifted over to the wing rather than his natural center position. After the win against Utah, Nugent-Hopkins told reporters that he is more comfortable in the middle of the ice than anywhere else.
“I’m definitely still a little more comfortable at center, it’s the position I’ve played most of my life,” Nugent-Hopkins said. “You’re touching [the puck] a bit more and you can [get] your feet moving and get involved a little bit more.”
"Sometimes you do all the right things & nothing shows up on the scoresheet. Sometimes you get some bounces & they go in for you. Just trying to play the same way & help out however I can."
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins on his recent offensive success. @Enterprise | #LetsGoOilers pic.twitter.com/GHaJJlJThJ
— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) March 19, 2025
Being comfortable in his position is one thing, but when asked how he has been feeling about his game and if he’s doing anything specific to get on the scoresheet, he didn’t give anything away.
“I’m just trying to play the same,” Nugent-Hopkins said. “This game can be funny sometimes, you do all the right things and nothing shows up on the scoresheet.
“Just trying to play the same way and help out any way I can.”
With Knoblauch saying that Nugent-Hopkins will be getting a healthy run in the middle of the ice, it does open up some opportunity for a spot next to McDavid. Edmonton certainly has options for that spot, with Jeff Skinner getting an opportunity on Tuesday night.
The team is also awaiting Trent Frederic to return at some point during this final stretch of the regular season and Evander Kane could potentially become an option once the playoffs come around.
No matter who they decide to fill in that spot, Oilers fans will be thrilled to see the Nuge finally figure things out this year.