Washington Capitals centre Evgeny Kuznetsov has been suspended one game by the NHL's Department of Player Safety.
Kuznetsov had a hearing on Tuesday after he struck Vancouver Canucks defenceman Kyle Burroughs in the head with his stick in a game on Monday night in Washington.
The play occurred late in the second period of Washington's win. After Kuznetsov skated the puck into the zone and drove hard past the net, Burroughs knocked him to the ice and then gave him an extra shove. Kuznetsov quickly bounced back up and attempted a two-handed slash on Burroughs, but his stick instead connected with the Canucks defenceman's face.
In an explanation of the suspension, the department of player safety explains that Kuznetsov made an intentional stick swing toward Burroughs and regardless of his intent not to hit high, players must remain accountable for where their stick lands.
Burroughs avoided an injury and Kuznetsov was given a two-minute penalty on the play.
Kuznetsov will forfeit $42,162.16 based on his average annual salary with the money going to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund.
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