NHL Department of Player Safety announces surprising suspension for Evgeny Kuznetsov
Washington Capitals forward Evgeny Kuznetsov was suspended one-game by the NHL Department of Player Safety on Tuesday after high sticking Vancouver Canucks forward Kyle Burroughs in the face Monday night.
The incident occurred with just a few minutes left to go in the second period when Kuznetsov drove to the net in an attempt to score before he was knocked away by Burroughs. The Canucks defender then gave Kuznetsov a couple of shoves as he was getting back up, and he proceeded to whack Burroughs in the face with his stick. Kuznetsov received a two-minute penalty for the infraction, which J.T. Miller scored on to give Vancouver a 4-2 lead, one that they would eventually blow after the Caps scored four goals in the third period to win 6-4.
This comes just six months after Kuznetsov high-sticked Noel Acciari in a post-whistle scrum during the Caps' first round series against the Florida Panthers. Kuznetsov wasn't suspended for the play, but he did receive a $5,000 fine.
Kuznetsov has four assists over four games this season, his 10th campaign in Washington after the Capitals selected him 26th overall in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft.
The 30-year-old miss the Capitals next game, which takes place Thursday against the Ottawa Senators.
| POLL | ||
Do you think the NHL Department of Player Safety got it right with Kuznetsov? | ||
| Yes, One game is fair | 19 | 20.2 % |
| No, repeat offender should have gotten a couple | 61 | 64.9 % |
| No, just a fine would have be suffice | 14 | 14.9 % |
| List of polls | ||
