Washington Capitals center Evgeny Kuznetsov has been suspended one game for a high stick on Vancouver Canucks defenseman Kyle Burroughs, the NHL Department of Player Safety announced Tuesday.
Kuznetsov “purposefully” struck Burroughs in the face with the blade of his stick. The incident occurred in the second period of the Capitals’ 6-4 win on Monday. Kuznetsov was given a two-minute minor for high-sticking.
The Department of Player Safety considered that Kuznetsov intended to hit Burrough lower. However, players are “accountable” for their sticks at all times.
The ruling of a one-game suspension also considered Kuznetsov’s history of high-sticking. Last season he was fined $5,000 for a high stick on Noel Acciari.
Evgeny Kuznetsov will miss Thursday’s game against the Ottawa Senators. He is coming off a three-assist performance against the Canucks.
The loss of Kuznetsov gets magnified by fellow center Nicklas Backstrom being on short-term injured reserve. The Capitals may also be without its top-line right winger, as Connor Brown suffered a lower-body injury against Vancouver.
Kuznetsov has been previously suspended once in his career. In 2019, he got three games for off-ice conduct.
