Washington: Washington Capitals coach Barry Trotz offered no update on Evgeny Kuznetsov after the top-line centre left Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final on Wednesday night with an apparent left arm injury.
Kuznetsov, the NHL’s leading playoff scorer, left the game just over five minutes into the first period after a crunching mid-ice check into the boards by Vegas Golden Knights defenceman Brayden McNabb. Kuznetsov fell to a knee after the hit, clutching his left hand toward his chest.
“The hit on Kuzy ... we thought it was high,” Trotz said.
“You lose one of your top players on what we feel is a questionable hit. The league will look at it. But your bench rallies around it.” Kuznetsov left for the trainers’ room at the 5:18 mark of the period and did not return. The Capitals had announced he was questionable to return with an upper-body injury.
“It’s is a big loss for us, he’s a big part of our team,” forward TJ Oshie said.
Kuznetsov, 26, has 25 points (11 goals, 14 assists) in 20 play-off games, leading all scorers. One point behind him is linemate Alex Ovechkin, who scored his 13th goal in the Capitals’ 3-2 win Wednesday that even the series against Vegas at one game apiece.
Game 3 is Saturday night at Capital One Arena in Washington.
