WASHINGTON — The Washington Capitals put Evgeny Kuznetsov in the lineup for Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final against the Vegas Golden Knights on Saturday night and he didn't miss a beat.
The Russian star scored and added an assist in the Capitals' 3-1 win that put Washington two wins away from the championship.
"You play a little bit better when you're hurt," Kuznetsov said
The leading scorer in the playoffs left Wednesday's Game 2 clutching his left arm after a big hit from Brayden McNabb and did not return.
Kuznetsov took part in an optional practice Friday and the morning skate Saturday and said the undisclosed upper-body injury "feels better every day." Coming into the game, Kuznetsov's 25 points are the most of any player this
"Kuzy's a surprisingly tough kid," Capitals
Washington
Kempny and Kuznetsov were the last two players on the ice. The 26-year-old Russian
"In these type of games you always want to play, but you have to do better for your team and you have to understand it doesn't matter who you are, what kind of player, you have to understand can you help the team or no," Kuznetsov said earlier in the day. "That's the biggest part. You have to understand it and you have to communicate with the coaches, doctors and everybody, can you help the team?"
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Stephen Whyno, The Associated Press