Kuznetsov, the NHL's leading playoff scorer,
left the game just over five minutes into the first period after
a crunching mid-ice check into the boards by Vegas Golden
Knights defenseman Brayden McNabb. Kuznetsov fell to a knee
after the hit, clutching his left hand toward his chest.
"The hit on Kuzy ... we thought it was high," Trotz told
reporters postgame. "You lose one of your top players on what we
feel is a questionable hit. The league will look at it. But your
bench rallies around it."
Kuznetsov left for the trainers' room at the 5:18 mark of the
period and did not return. The Capitals had announced he was
questionable to return with an upper-body injury.
"It's is a big loss for us, he's a big part of our team,"
forward T.J. Oshie said.
Kuznetsov, 26, has 25 points (11 goals, 14 assists) in 20
playoff games, leading all scorers. One point behind him is
linemate Alex Ovechkin, who scored his 13th goal in the
Capitals' 3-2 win Wednesday that even the series against Vegas
at one game apiece.
Game 3 is Saturday night at Capital One Arena in Washington.
--Field Level Media
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