Evgeny Kuznetsov will miss his first game of the season due to injury, Thursday.
The Russian center will not play against the Colorado Avalanche due to an upper-body injury he suffered against the New York Islanders. Kuzy was crunched into the boards by Leo Komarov.
Kuznetsov left the ice visibly in pain and did not return. The next morning Kuznetsov missed practice and the Capitals announced he was day-to-day.
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Head Coach Todd Reirden addresses the media following today's practice to give an update on Kuzy's status and talk the upcoming road trip pic.twitter.com/lwExsuk7ZI
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“He will be traveling but he will not be playing in the game against Colorado,” Todd Reirden said after Wednesday’s practice at MedStar Capitals Iceplex. “There’s hope (he’ll play). That’s why we’re bringing him on the trip so he can get proper treatment. He keeps making steps in the right direction so we’ll keep him on the same program that we have him on now and hope to get him on the ice as soon as possible.”
Reirden pointed to a similar injury that Kuznetsov suffered against the Vegas Golden Knights and hoped his return would be just as quick.
“A similar thing happened a couple of years ago against Vegas on the other side,” Reirden said. “I’m hoping it’s short term like that. We will be without him against Colorado.”
Kuznetsov heads to the locker room after a high hit from McNabb. 😟😟😟
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Kuznetsov got hit in the left arm and he skated off the ice in visible pain. He did not return to the game.
After flying home, Kuznetsov took part in an optional practice the next day and returned to the top line during the morning skate. He played in Game Three.
“If something was broken, I would not sit here. I would be in the ambulance,” Kuznetsov said then. “But no. It’s a hockey play and sometimes they hit us and sometimes we’re going to hit them.”
Kuznetsov added, “I think I’m born lucky.”
The Capitals’ three-game, five-day road trip will land them in Denver tonight before having games in Glendale to play the Arizona Coyotes and Las Vegas to take on the Golden Knights.
Headline photo courtesy of NBC Sports Washington
