The Washington Capitals committed two penalties in the first period of Sunday’s game against the Bruins, and coach Todd Reirden wasn’t having it. During a stoppage in play, Reirden told NBC Sports, “guys are going to start missing shifts.”
And that’s exactly what happened to Evgeny Kuznetsov.
With seven minutes left in the period, seven seconds after a (soft) Dmitrij Jaskin penalty expired, Kuznetsov slashed Bruins defender Charlie McAvoy.
The Caps barely killed the penalty. Once five-on-five play resumed, Kuznetsov himself drew a penalty from Patrice Bergeron. And that was it for him. Kuznetsov did not see the ice again in the period.
Speaking with NBC Sports’ Brian Boucher, Reirden discussed the team’s discipline problems.
“That’s an area we’ve got to get better at,” Reirden said. “If we’re going to continue to take penalties with their sticks, guys are going to start missing shifts and not be a part of five-on-five play for a little bit here.”
During the first period, NBC analyst Mike Milbury said the coaching decree was backed up by management. “GM Brian MacLellan kind of tweaked his coach,” Milbury said. “He’s looking for more discipline and toughness to get them off the rocky road they’ve been on a while.”
Kuznetsov commits 1.4 penalties per hour, second highest on the Caps behind Madison Bowey and up significantly from his 0.9 last season.
Here's who is taking penalties for the Caps. You will not be surprised. pic.twitter.com/CaUgaAMjFv
— Peter Hassett (@peterhassett) February 3, 2019
Dmitrij Jaskin, who has committed just two penalties this season, also missed shifts for his stick penalty.
Both players returned for the second period.
