In his first game back, Evgeny Kuznetsov didn’t have to wait long to hear chants of “KUUUUUZ” from the Capital One Arena crowd.
The Capitals center, making his season debut after serving a three-game suspension for inappropriate conduct, scored 4:49 into Tuesday’s contest against the Dallas Stars.
Kuznetsov’s goal happened when the 27-year-old shot the puck off his backhand right in front of the net. As he scored, the Russian did not break into his signature bird celebration, but a smile did flash across his face.
Kuznetsov was suspended in the offseason after meeting with commissioner Gary Bettman in September. The meeting was held following the news that Kuznetsov was suspended from international play for testing positive for cocaine. While the drug is not on the NHL’s banned substance list, Kuznetsov still faced discipline.
• Matthew Paras can be reached at mparas@washingtontimes.com.
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