ARLINGTON — Washington Capitals center Evgeny Kuznetsov is listed as day to day after suffering an upper-body injury in Monday’s game against the New York Islanders.
“We’ll see how he is tomorrow and … what direction we’re gonna go with him,” coach Todd Reirden said.
Reirden said he did not know whether the center would travel with the team on their upcoming three-game road trip to play the Colorado Avalanche, Arizona Coyotes and Vegas Golden Knights.
Kuznetsov was hit into the boards during the second period of Monday’s loss and his left arm appeared to make initial contact before he crumpled to the ice. He nursed that arm as he went directly down the tunnel, and he didn’t return to the game.
The Russian did not practice Tuesday. Lars Eller moved up to the second line and Travis Boyd took Eller’s place on as the third-line center, a lineup that the Capitals could use Thursday against Colorado if Kuznetsov is out.
Eller is often called on to move around the lineup when others are injured and has become familiar with the second line, featuring Jakub Vrana and T.J. Oshie on the wings.
“I think it helps that we’ve played together before,” Oshie said. “Just overall with our depth, especially through the middle, it always, you know, hurts you a little when a guy like Kuzy’s missing, but these other guys will slide in and we’ll get the job done. Playing with Lars has been great in the past. Seems like we’ve had a lot of success together. Me and him, personally, I think have a lot of chemistry for whatever reason.”
Kuznetsov, 27, has 19 goals and 27 assists in 53 games this season.
• Adam Zielonka can be reached at azielonka@washingtontimes.com.
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