Capitals' Evgeny Kuznetsov: Set to draw back into lineup
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Kuznetsov is expected to draw into the Capitals' lineup Thursday versus Dallas after being a healthy scratch Monday against Arizona, Tom Gulitti of NHL.com reports.
Kuznetsov has four goals and nine points in 19 games this season, which puts him on pace to fall short of the 55 points in 81 outings he provided in 2022-23. He's also been quiet recently with just one point (a goal) over his last six appearances. Kuznetsov will attempt to break out of his slump Thursday while likely serving on the second line and second power-play unit. Sonny Milano might be a healthy scratch after dressing in Washington's previous 14 contests.
Kuznetsov will be a healthy scratch Monday against Arizona, according to Bailey Johnson of The Washington Post.
Kuznetsov only has one goal in his past six outings. The 31-year-old forward has struggled this season, picking up four goals and five assists over 19 appearances. Matthew Phillips will probably return to the lineup Monday after being scratched for the past two contests.
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Capitals' Evgeny Kuznetsov: Deposits lone goal in Monday's loss
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Kuznetsov scored a goal on two shots in Monday's 2-1 loss to the Sharks.
Kuznetsov was held off the scoresheet Friday in his return from a two-game absence due to an illness. He was able to get on the board Monday, but he was the only Capital to find the twine behind Mackenzie Blackwood in this contest. Kuznetsov is up to four goals, nine points, 41 shots on net and a minus-2 rating through 16 contests in a rather slow start to the campaign.
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Capitals' Evgeny Kuznetsov: Returns to action Friday
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Kuznetsov (illness) will return to the lineup Friday versus Edmonton, according to Tom Gulitti of NHL.com.
Kuznetsov missed two games with the illness. He has three goals and five assists in 14 games, including a pair of assists on the power play this year.
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Capitals' Evgeny Kuznetsov: Still sidelined Wednesday
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Kuznetsov (illness) will not be in the lineup versus the Sabres on Wednesday, Tarik El-Bashir of Monumental Sports Network reports.
Kuznetsov will be shelved for his second consecutive due to his illness. Prior to his absence, the 31-year-old center had registered three points in his last three games to go with seven shots. In Kuznetsov's stead, Connor McMichael will remain in a second-line center role in addition to a spot on the No. 1 power-play unit.
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Capitals' Evgeny Kuznetsov: Questionable to face Buffalo
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Kuznetsov (illness) told Tom Gulitti of NHL.com on Tuesday that he isn't sure if he will play Wednesday against Buffalo.
The Capitals will see how Kuznetsov feels Wednesday before determining his availability. The 31-year-old forward took part in practices Monday and Tuesday, but he didn't work on either power-play unit during Tuesday's session. Kuznetsov has registered three goals, eight points and 37 shots on net in 14 outings this campaign. If he can't play Wednesday, Hendrix Lapierre is slated to center the third line.
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Capitals' Evgeny Kuznetsov: Back at practice
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Kuznetsov (illness) was on the ice for practice Monday, Tom Gulitti of NHL.com reports.
Kuznetsov should be available for Wednesday's contest against Buffalo after sitting out Saturday's 4-3 win over Columbus. He rotated in on the third line with Hendrix Lapierre, who could be a healthy scratch to make room for Kuznetsov's return. Kuznetsov has supplied three goals, five assists and 37 shots on goal through 14 games this season.
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Capitals' Evgeny Kuznetsov: Not playing Saturday
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Kutnetzov (illness) won't be in the lineup versus Columbus on Saturday, according to Tarik El-Bashir of Monumental Sports Network.
Kuznetsov's absence doesn't come as much of a surprise after he missed practices Friday and Saturday. He has three goals and eight points in 14 games, including a pair of goals and an assist in his past three appearances.
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Capitals' Evgeny Kuznetsov: Still missing at practice
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Per Tarik El-Bashir of Monumental Sports Network, Kuznetsov (illness) is not at practice Saturday.
It's the second day in a row that Kuznetsov has not appeared at practice. He has three goals and eight points in 14 games this season. Stay tuned ahead of puck drop to see his status for Saturday's game versus Columbus.
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Capitals' Evgeny Kuznetsov: Not at practice Friday
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Per Tarik El-Bashir of Monumental Sports Network, Kuznetsov is missing practice Friday due to an illness.
Kuznetsov has two goals and an assist in his last three games, giving him three goals and eight points in 14 contests this season. Consider him day-to-day at this time -- his status for Saturday's tilt versus Columbus is up in the air.
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Capitals' Evgeny Kuznetsov: Lights lamp twice in win
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Kuznetsov scored two goals, including the game-winner, in Friday's 4-2 victory over the Devils.
The 31-year-old converted a virtual tap-in early in the second period after a great display of hustle from Tom Wilson, who chipped the puck out of Washington's zone and out-raced New Jersey defenders to collect it and create the scoring chance. That gave the Caps a 3-0 lead, and Kuznetsov then squelched the Devils' comeback attempt with an empty-netter. Through 12 games this season, he's produced three goals and seven points -- a pace that would see Kuznetsov fall short of 50 points over a full season for the first time since 2014-15, his first full campaign in the NHL.
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Capitals' Evgeny Kuznetsov: Looks good to go
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Kuznetsov (illness) is on the ice for warmups and expected to play Wednesday versus the Panthers, Stephen Whyno of the Associated Press reports.
Kuznetsov's presence in warmups, as well as Michael Sgarbossa's absence from the pregame skate, suggests Kuznetsov will play. The 31-year-old Kuznetsov missed a couple of practices but hasn't missed a game with the illness. The 31-year-old has no points over his last two games, and he's at one goal and four assists through 10 contests overall.
Kuznetsov (illness) will be a game-time call for Wednesday's contest versus Florida, according to Tarik El-Bashir of Monumental Sports Network.
Kuznetsov did participate in Wednesday's morning skate. He has a goal and five points in 10 outings this season. Washington summoned Michael Sgarbossa from AHL Hershey on Wednesday, and he'll likely draw into the lineup if Kuznetsov isn't available.
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Capitals' Evgeny Kuznetsov: Dealing with illness
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Kuznetsov (illness) was absent from Monday's practice, Stephen Whyno of the Associated Press reports.
Kuznetsov still has time to recover before Wednesday's matchup with Florida. He has registered one goal, four assists and 27 shots on net across 10 contests this campaign. Consider Kuznetsov day-to-day for now.
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Capitals' Evgeny Kuznetsov: Dishes two assists
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Kuznetsov produced two assists and two shots on goal in Wednesday's 6-4 win over the Devils.
Kuznetsov helped out on tallies by Sonny Milano and Dylan Strome, with the latter's goal coming on the power play. The Capitals' offense as a whole has struggled early, and Kuznetsov hasn't been an exception. He's at three helpers, 13 shots on net, eight PIM and a minus-2 rating through six appearances, though posting multiple shots on goal in each game is an encouraging sign the 31-year-old will turn things around.
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Capitals' Evgeny Kuznetsov: Opens with pair of shots
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Kuznetsov was blanked in Friday's 4-0 setback against the visiting Penguins.
Kuznetsov ended up with a pair of shots on goal in his 19:56 of ice time across 26 shifts, while winning seven of his 15 faceoffs for a 46.7 percentage success rate. He and his teammates will look to get on track Monday night when the Flames come calling at Capital One Arena.
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Capitals' Evgeny Kuznetsov: Garners assist in loss
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Kuznetsov emerged with an assist in Saturday's 4-2 loss to the Panthers.
Kuznetsov's secondary helper counts as only his fifth point in the last month, a 14-game span in which he's struggled to a minus-11 rating. The 30-year-old pivot must come to terms with the Capitals missing out on the playoffs for the first time in nine years.
Kuznetsov (upper body) will be a game-time decision for Tuesday's matchup with Columbus, per NHL.com.
Kuznetsov played just 13:41 of ice time versus the Wild on Sunday before being forced to exit with his upper-body issue. The veteran center has provided minimal offensive upside of late with just one point in his last nine contests. Despite the slump, Kuznetsov should continue to feature in a top-six role whenever cleared to play.
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Capitals' Evgeny Kuznetsov: Day-to-day with upper-body injury
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Kuznetsov (upper body) is considered day-to-day, Roman Stubbs of The Washington Post reports.
Kuznetsov didn't take part in Monday's optional practice after leaving Sunday's 5-3 loss to Minnesota early in the third period. He was injured following a hit from Wild defenseman Matt Dumba. It's unclear at this time if Kuznetsov will be available for Tuesday's contest against Columbus. The 30-year-old forward has produced 12 goals, 51 points and 158 shots on net in 70 contests this campaign.
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Capitals' Evgeny Kuznetsov: Injured Sunday
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There was no update on Kuznetsov (undisclosed) after he left Sunday's game against Minnesota, Roman Stubbs of The Washington Post reports.
Kuznetsov took a big hit from Matt Dumba in the third period and did not return to the contest. He logged a minus-1 rating in 13:41 of ice time prior to the injury. An update on his status should be available before Tuesday's matchup with Columbus.
