Evgeny Kuznetsov: Passes concussion tests; expected to play Saturday

Kuznetsov (undisclosed) passed concussion protocols and is expected to play Saturday in Dallas, Isabelle Khurshudyan of The Washington Post reports.

Analysis:

Kuznetsov exited early in the third period of Thursday's 4-3 win over the Wild after appearing to be hit with a high-stick or elbowed by Wild center Mikael Granlund during a faceoff. Kuznetsov did not return, but the team feels confident that he will be available for Saturday. Keep him in your lineup for now and monitor the morning skate for final confirmation, but it appears that the 23-year-old All-Star has emerged from the incident largely unscathed. Kuznetsov has 15 goals, 54 points, and a plus-24 rating in 53 games.