Evgeny Kuznetsov fully practiced with his Capitals teammates on Sunday, but he will not play Monday against the Vegas Golden Knights, per head coach Todd Reirden.
It will be Kuzy’s third-straight game missed due to an upper-body injury.
Evgeny Kuznetsov (upper body) is progressing but he will not play Monday against Vegas, per Reirden. Will be his third straight game missed.
— Samantha Pell (@SamanthaJPell) February 16, 2020
Despite Kuznetsov skating on the third line during rushes, the Capitals will feature the same lineup it’s had during the road trip.
Capitals Sunday practice lines:
Ovechkin-Backstrom-Wilson
Vrana-Eller-Oshie
Hagelin-Kuznetsov-Panik
Boyd-Dowd-HathawayKempny-Carlson
Orlov-Jensen
Siegenthaler-Gudas*Boyd in on 4th line, Leipsic appears to be the extra
— Samantha Pell (@SamanthaJPell) February 16, 2020
That includes Braden Holtby earning the start in goal once again.
Braden Holtby will be in net Monday against Vegas, per Reirden.
“Obviously [has] done some special things in this building, he has.”
— Samantha Pell (@SamanthaJPell) February 16, 2020
Holtby will start vs. Vegas. Reirden says he really likes the way he’s played the past few games. “He’s really put his foot down.” #Caps
— Tarik El-Bashir (@Tarik_ElBashir) February 16, 2020
Kuznetsov was originally hurt when he was crunched into the boards by Islanders forward Leo Komarov on Monday. Kuznetsov did not return to the game and missed practice the next day. Last Thursday, he returned to the ice for the first time after the Capitals’ morning skate. Kuznetsov participated in the Capitals morning skate on Saturday. Sunday marked the first time he took full rushes with the team.
The Capitals will take on the Vegas Golden Knights at 6 PM Monday. T-Mobile Arena is the home where the Capitals won their first Stanley Cup championship in 2018. Evgeny Kuznetsov led the NHL in playoff points that year with 32.
The place where that thing happened a couple of years ago… pic.twitter.com/uSICE74kaz
— Tarik El-Bashir (@Tarik_ElBashir) February 16, 2020
Headline photo courtesy of NBC Sports Washington
