Capitals star Evgeny Kuznetsov leaves game after hard fall into the boards

Capitals center Evgeny Kuznetsov took a hard spill into the board late in the second period against the Islanders, and the Capitals playoff success could hinge on the update.

Capitals fans everywhere will not be sleeping tonight, as one of their most consistent players this season, Evgeny Kuznetsov, went to the locker room after getting slashed in the wrist and tripped into the boards.

With about six seconds to go in the second period of the second half of a home and home series between the Capitals and Islanders, Kuznetsov charged the net on a breakaway looking to extend the Capitals’ lead to 4-1.

Instead of scoring, Kuznetsov received a slash on the hands from Thomas Hickey that put him in immediate pain, and he was later tripped by the stick of Jaroslav Halak that caused him take a hard spill into the boards right onto the arm that was just slashed.

Kuznetsov was in clear distress after colliding with the boards and the trainer rushed right out to assist. Kuznetsov would need another minute to get way back to his feet and head to the locker room, where he remained for the rest of the night. Kuznetsov was clearly favoring his arm on his way back to the locker room, likely marking it as a wrist, arm or shoulder injury if it’s serious.

Kuznetsov leads the Capitals with 50 assists this season and is second to Alex Ovechkin in points with 71. Kuznetsov hasn’t missed a game since being a healtyh scratch in December of 2014 and hasn’t suffered an injury that has forced him to miss time in his career with the Capitals. In his last three games, Kuznetsov has picked up seven points.

If Kuznetsov is out long term, then the Capitals could all of the sudden be in big trouble. Kuznetsov has been a rock for the Capitals all season long, and losing their second leading point scorer and quarterback on whatever line he’s on would be a devastating blow as the playoffs inch closer and closer. Washington took a two point lead on the Penguins with a 6-3 win over the Islanders tonight, but losing one of their star players in Kuznetsov will make it even harder to fend off the persistent Penguins.

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The best thing Washington can hope for is that this injury is just a jam and he’ll back after just a few games if any at all. There is no update until Saturday, but the initial reaction says this could be bad news.