Ryan Nugent-Hopkins

In Year 9 of the Connor McDavid era, the Oilers are finally where they’re supposed to be.

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins is often underestimated as merely the other guy. Friday, he was the star of the greatest show on ice.

The Oilers’ ineffective play during the second was the turning point and they're now down 2-1 in the series.

“It’s going to be important we ramp it up even more for Game 7,” coach Kris Knoblauch said after the 5-1 victory.

Nugent-Hopkins scored in the Oilers' Game 1 win after a quiet end to the regular season, but his other contributions haven't gone unnoticed.

The Oilers are lucky to have a player of Nugent-Hopkins' quality willing to play a vital support role.

On April Fools' Day, three goal replays went against Edmonton in the 3-2 OT loss, two of which left them questioning the game's outcome.

Goaltender Stuart Skinner exuded calm under pressure, making 40 saves and stopping several high-danger chances.

After their power play won the Oilers so many games last season, it was hard to believe it would stay in neutral for much longer.

The Oilers have won five straight games in which they've surrendered two or fewer goals.

The 5-4 overtime victory was the first matchup between the two teams since Vegas defeated Edmonton in the playoffs last May.

The Oilers now look closer to having better odds for the 2024 No. 1 draft pick than they do a postseason berth.

Now 30 years old, Nugent-Hopkins has grown into a fine player with very few weaknesses in his game.

A position-by-position look at the mid-summer situation and the possible surprises for each position next season.

The Oilers are going to need more from Nugent-Hopkins if they want any chance to knock out the Golden Knights in this series.

The Oilers, now a Stanley Cup contender, and Nugent-Hopkins, near or at his zenith, are a perfect match.

At 29 years old, Nugent-Hopkins has already posted career highs in goals, assists and points.

In the 6-3 victory over the Jets, Yamamoto performed like the elite winger the Oilers have been searching for to complete their top six.