Kuznetsov high stick DOPS hearing

[Brewin Flames]

Kuznetsov likely to face Player Safety hearing for vicious high-stick

 

This is Kuznetsov's second high-sticking incident in six months.

ByScott Maxwell

Published -

October 17, 2022

Washington Capitals center Evgeny Kuznetsov will likely be facing a hearing from the NHL’s Department of Player Safety after high-sticking Vancouver Canucks defenseman Kyle Burroughs on 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. That fine likely won’t affect the decision making for the infraction on Burroughs, but it certainly doesn’t help Kuznetsov’s case.

 

Despite the penalty and likely fine or suspension that will come with it, Kuznetsov had a strong game against Vancouver. He helped lead the charge for the Caps four goal third period comeback, assisting on three of them. It certainly improved his numbers on the season so far, as he had just one assist in three games to start the season, including no points in his first two. He now has four points in four games, although he is still waiting on his first goal of the season.

If Kuznetsov does get suspended, it will be a huge blow for the Caps, as their center depth is already hurting with Nicklas Backstrom out long-term and no clear timeline for a return. If Kuznetsov is out, that will likely leave Dylan Strome and Lars Eller as their one-two punch down the middle in his absence, which is solid, but far from great. The Caps next few games come against the Ottawa Senators, Los Angeles Kings, and New Jersey Devils.

[SaucyJack]

5 hours ago, Brewin Flames said:

If Kuznetsov does get suspended, it will be a huge blow for the Caps

Meh.  Long campaign.  Finish Top 16.

 

The NHL app extended game highlights did not show the incident, unfortunately.  Didn’t check YouTube.

 

Of course, CanuckLand has seen better times.  I saw on NHL Network highlights last night that Vancouver is the 1st team in league history to be 0-3, having held a multi-goal lead in all 3 games.

[yave1964]

Ugly. After the hit with Burroughs down he cross checked him. My best guess is six well deserved games.

[JR Ewing]

Vicious high stick there, followed by an "oh sh|t" crosscheck. It's like you could see it dawning on Kuznetsov, in real time, that he knew the DOPS would be calling him.

 

[Brewin Flames]

If you are gonna get in one nasty high stick, might as well cross check him the back as well.....

[Brewin Flames]

Capitals' Evgeny Kuznetsov suspended 1 game for high-sticking

2:15 PM ET

• Associated Press

NEW YORK -- Washington Capitals center Evgeny Kuznetsov has been suspended one game for high-sticking Vancouver Canucks defenseman Kyle Burroughs.

 

The NHL announced the suspension, Kuznetsov's first for on-ice play, Tuesday after his phone hearing with the department of player safety.

 

Kuznetsov swung his stick and hit Burroughs in the face with his blade late in the second period of the game Monday night. He was given a two-minute minor penalty, and the Canucks scored on the ensuing power play.

 

In a video announcing the suspension, the league called it "an intentional stick swing toward an opponent that makes high contact" and said the purposeful nature of the swing and where it landed on Burroughs made it rise to the level of a suspension.

 

The 30-year-old from Chelyabinsk, Russia, will now miss Washington's upcoming game Thursday at Ottawa and forfeit $42,162 in salary. He's eligible to return Saturday against Los Angeles.

Kuznetsov's suspension is another blow for the Capitals, who lost winger Connor Brown to a lower-body injury in the Canucks game. Their absences could open the door for young forwards Connor McMichael and Joe Snively to make their season debuts.

This is Kuznetsov's fourth run-in with the league. He was fined $2,000 for diving in 2017, suspended three games for off-ice conduct in 2019 and fined $5,000 for high-sticking last season.

Kuznetsov had three assists against Vancouver and trails only Alex Ovechkin in points among Capitals players.

[Math]

7/10 on the Ciccarelli-Hatcher scale.

[SaucyJack]

Ridiculous.  I finally saw the blow on YouTube.  Was the case not there for an 11-game suspension?

 

In an 82-game schedule that only cuts the field in half, the punishment needs to be at least 20 games to have much meaning or impact towards survival to the playoffs.