Capitals forward Evgeny Kuznetsov left Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final on Wednesday after taking a hit from Golden Knights defenseman Brayden McNabb.
Kuznetsov, in the first period, attempted to dump the puck on the offensive rush before he was met with the oncoming McNabb. He grasped his left arm and went directly to the Capitals' locker room. He wouldn't return for the remainder of the period. The 26-year-old didn't return for the start of the second period, signaling an end to his night.
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Kuznetsov shaken up by this hit from McNabb pic.twitter.com/4TVhi285sm
— Pete Blackburn (@PeteBlackburn) May 31, 2018
The Capitals ruled Kuznetsov 'questionable' to return and his injury is deemed an upper-body injury.
Kuznetsov missed three games during the regular season. He leads the Capitals with 24 points in the playoffs, and is in the midst of a 11-game point streak — a Capitals record. As the team's top-line center, it would be a devastating blow to the Capitals' Stanley Cup aspirations if he were to miss any future games. Head coach Barry Trotz continues to use Nicklas Backstrom and Lars Eller to fill Kuznetsov's place.
After the Capitals' 3-2 win, Alex Ovechkin believes Kuznetsov is going to be alright, according to NHL.com's Tom Gulitti. Head coach Barry Trotz offered no update on Kuznetsov.