Morning skate at Kettler Capitals Iceplex offers some encouraging news for literally everyone. According to reports from The Washington Post’s Isabelle Khurshudyan and NBC Sports’ JJ Regan, Caps forward Evgeny Kuznetsov was a full participant, taking rushes with the top line and working with the first power-play unit.
We’ll know more later, but right now this looks like the best-case scenario.
The lines, as per Isabelle, who writes for the Post, which you should subscribe to:
Ovechkin – Kuznetsov – Wilson
Vrana – Backstrom – Oshie
Burakovsky – Eller – Connolly
Stephenson – Beagle – DSP
Kempny – Carlson
Orlov – Niskanen
Orpik – Djoos
We are contractually obligated to embed her follow-up for #branding reasons:
So, yeah, Russian machine(s) never break https://t.co/GoftTzK7Gg
— Isabelle Khurshudyan (@ikhurshudyan) June 2, 2018
JJ offers this wrinkle:
More evidence: Kuznetsov is practicing with the top PP unit
— JJ Regan (@JJRegan41) June 2, 2018
Kuznetsov was injured by a hip check from Brayden McNabb in Game Two.
He was seen favoring his wrist as he left the game. Upon returning to DC, Kuznetsov kept his hand out of sight of bystanders. Trotz termed the injury status as day-to-day, and said he will be a game-time decision tonight. Kuznetsov remains cagey.
Kuznetsov: “We’ll see.” Didn’t have a problem with McNabb’s hit. “Hockey play,” he said. Also said he wasn’t in the concussion protocol.
— Isabelle Khurshudyan (@ikhurshudyan) June 2, 2018
Kuznetsov has 25 points in 21 playoff games. Game Two ended an 11-game point streak for him.
Headline photo: Capitals
