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Nugent-Hopkins strong despite back-to-back losses for Edmonton Oilers

Calgary Flames forward Marek Hrivik (46) and Edmonton Oilers forward Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (93) during first period NHL preseason split-squad hockey action in Edmonton, Alta., on Monday September 18, 2017. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson

The Edmonton have lost two games in a row, but centre Ryan Nugent-Hopkins scored in both those games and looked like one of the few players engaged in the action on almost every shift.

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“Arguably, he’s been our best forward,” head coach Todd McLellan said. “He’s played very competitively all over the rink on both sides of the puck. [I] haven’t seen a lot of cheat in his game. Some of other guys we expect to be productive aren’t doing those things and guess what? They have goose eggs.”

READ MORE: Ehlers’ hat trick lifts Winnipeg Jets past Edmonton Oilers 

After tallying on the power play Saturday in Vancouver, Nugent-Hopkins scored a spectacular goal Monday against Winnipeg. He took a pass from Darnell Nurse while splitting the Jets’ defence. Despite being bothered from behind, Nugent-Hopkins lifted a shot perfectly under the cross bar.

“I think right now I’m skating a little bit more, keeping my feet moving. I don’t want to be standing still so much and waiting for a play to develop. I have to read plays before they develop and react to them,” said Nugent-Hopkins.

READ MORE: Oilers come up short against Canucks 

Centre Leon Draisaitl missed practice again on Thursday with an eye issue.

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“The swelling has come down in his eye,” McLellan said. “[It’s] still not safe to put him on the ice today.”

The Oilers will host the Ottawa Senators Saturday night.

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