Oilers’ Nugent-Hopkins, Kapanen return to practice

Nugent-Hopkins, who has not played since the Oilers’ 9-1 loss to Colorado on Nov. 8 due to an undisclosed injury, said he could return to the lineup Tuesday against the Dallas Stars.

If not, the longtime Oilers center said Saturday against the Seattle Rockets could mark his return.

The 32-year-old from Burnaby, BC, had a strong start before finishing with 16 points (five goals, 11 assists) in 16 games.

Kupnan, meanwhile, is on long-term injured reserve after going into a late October game against the Detroit Red Wings.

The 29-year-old has two assists in six games this season and averaged 12:17 of ice time per game before his injury.

He joined the Oilers midway through last season after being waived by the St. Louis Blues. He finished the season with six goals and eight assists in 67 games and added three goals and three assists in 12 postseason games.

The Oilers finished sixth in the Pacific Division with a 10-9-4 record for 24 points.