Capitals center Evgeny Kuznetsov was benched in the first period of the Capitals 1-0 loss to the Bruins Sunday after taking a slashing penalty immediately after the Capitals came off the penalty kill.
“That’s an area we’ve got to get better at,” Capitals head coach Todd Reirden said, clearly irritated. “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.”
Kuznetsov was asked about the benching on Tuesday during the team’s morning skate.
There was some cursing.
Kuznetsov on getting benched for his slashing penalty last game: “Uh, that shit happens, right?”
— Isabelle Khurshudyan (@ikhurshudyan) February 5, 2019
Another classic Kuzy quote.
Kuznetsov added that he was on the same page as Todd Reirden and that “sometimes you don’t have to say anything.”
Kuznetsov said no need for Reirden to talk to him after sitting for penalty vs. Boston on Sunday.
"Me and Coach, we're on the same page, and sometimes you don't have to say anything. I already get it."
— Tom Gulitti (@TomGulittiNHL) February 5, 2019
According to Natural Stat Trick, Kuznetsov has taken the second most minors (15) on the Capitals at five-on-five this season, trailing only Michal Kempny (18). He also has the 11th most minors overall in the NHL (20).
Graph via Peter Hassett
During his meeting with reporters, Kuznetsov elaborated on his “not good” behavior.
Kuznetsov (T-11th in NHL with 20 minor penalties: "Sometimes you're too bored in the game and then you're trying to get back to the game and you over-slash somebody, so that's not good."
— Stephen Whyno (@SWhyno) February 5, 2019
Kuznetsov stated (and in my opinion, incorrectly) that fixing the team’s faceoff woes are a bigger concern than the penalties issues.
Kuznetsov on faceoffs (Capitals are last in NHL): "We all understand that's probably bigger than penalties for us, right? We have to fix that, and we we got to get better."
— Stephen Whyno (@SWhyno) February 5, 2019
The Russian center poked fun of himself in regards to how bad he is at faceoffs. His FO winning percentage currently sits at 38.6 percent (that’s Shaq free throws bad).
.@SWhyno asks Kuznetsov about faceoffs.
Kuzy: "I always believe if we lost the faceoff, we get puck back in two seconds. … It's every time happen. If you look at the games, if you don't check your phone during the game and you actually pay attention to the game, you will see."
— Isabelle Khurshudyan (@ikhurshudyan) February 5, 2019
In happier news, Kuzy was excited to see his “really nice” former teammate, Jay Beagle, again tonight.
Kuznetsov on Beagle’s return tonight: “After that little tribute video — whatever that shit called — he will be nervous a little bit more for sure. He's really nice guy.”
— Isabelle Khurshudyan (@ikhurshudyan) February 5, 2019
The Washington Post’s Isabelle Khurshudyan reported that the entire exchange was a funny back and forth.
Monday, Capitals general manager Brian MacLellan met with reporters and spoke about Kuzy’s struggles this season. He was not as laid back.
“I think for our organization – for our team – to do well, we need him at the top of his game,” MacLellan said. “Depending on how you look at it, it was Ovi or him for MVP last year in the playoffs. That’s why we did well, because Kuznetsov played well. I think if he’s not going to play at that level, then we’re not going to do as well. He’s that important to our team.”
Headline photo: Elizabeth Kong
