RNH hurt late in loss to canucks. No horcoff, belanger and Nuge vs stars. Smyth may play centre on third line

— Jim Matheson (@NHLbyMatty) February 6, 2013

On a scale of one to good, this is about minus 7.

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins isn’t at morning skate today, and that’s because he was injured against the Canucks on Monday.  Word isn’t yet out as to what is injured, but it’s a certainty that he won’t be going in tonight’s game versus Dallas.

@oilonwhyte Clearly explains the Arcobello call up.

— Rob Soria (@Oil_Drop) February 6, 2013

Rob nails it perfectly. One of the notes I had yesterday was Arcobello’s success with 4 and 14 when they were down in Oklahoma City to start the season. The Oilers hope a little of that rubs off on the first line tonight against Kari Lehtonen and the rest of the Dallas Stars.

I’m sure we’ll find out this afternoon what’s ailing Nugent-Hopkins, and for the love of all that is holy, I hope it’s something he can come back from in a hurry.

UPDATE:  According to several sources, he’s slated to be back Saturday.  

Short term shoulder trouble for RNH

— Rob Tychkowski (@SUN_TYCHKOWSKI) February 6, 2013

…although “short term shoulder trouble” doesn’t encourage me too much.

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Today, Nugent-Hopkins is nominated for the Calder Trophy, annually awarded to the NHL’s Rookie of the Year. If he wasn’t injured for nearly two dozen games this season, he’d almost certainly be a lock.

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