Tuesday after practice, Russian center Evgeny Kuznetsov was playful with Caps media, likely because he was even able to suit up at all.

While explaining how he escaped serious injury against the Panthers, Kuzy credited the team’s training staff.

“I feel good,” Kuznetsov said. “I can’t really say much if it hurt or not last game. Overall feel pretty good today.

“Just the magic hands of our trainers, you know?” Kuznetsov said laughing. “They did a great job. It’s nothing serious – just like little kinks. So many players play with, kind of a little bit, soreness. That’s okay.”

Kuznetsov revealed that the initial injury that he suffered was painful, but “as soon as [the pain] pass, game over.”

Head coach Barry Trotz confirmed Kuznetsov would play Wednesday night against the Philadelphia Flyers.

“He got strung out a little bit there, stepped on a guy’s foot there and got strung out,” Barry Trotz said. “We talked when we left [Sunrise, Florida] — Kuzy’s a good pro — he said if he felt it was worse the next day he was going to fly back to Washington. He was in constant contact with our trainer. Our trainer was in contact with me at the All-Star Game. So you have to trust the player and I trust Kuzy and obviously he’s fine. So he’s good to go tomorrow.”

Meanwhile, Kuznetsov managed to watch the All-Star Skills Competition from Miami where he spent the break with his family. He was happy for friend and fellow countryman Alex Ovechkin who won the Hardest Shot Competition, nailing a puck 101.3 MPH.

“I wish I could make a joke,” Kuznetsov said laughing. “I wish I could shoot like that. Even 85.”

Headline photo: @Capitals