Evgeny Kuznetsov's status for Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final won't be determined until shortly before puck drop.
“I don’t know,” the Washington Capitals center told reporters, including NHL.com's Tom Gulitti, when asked whether he'll play against the Vegas Golden Knights on Saturday night. "We’ll see if I’m in, I definitely can help in the morning skate, no?"
Capitals head coach Barry Trotz wouldn't confirm one way or another, either, simply giving his star forward the game-time decision designation.
I’ll give you one guess what #Caps Coach Barry Trotz said about Evgeny Kuznetsov’s status for Game 3. #ALLCAPS #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/b91TZvfUMM
— Tarik El-Bashir⌨️🎙🏒 (@TarikNBCS) June 2, 2018
Kuznetsov said he felt good after taking part in the morning skate Saturday, a session in which he took first-line rushes in his usual spot between Alex Ovechkin and Tom Wilson.
When asked about the hit by Golden Knights defenseman Brayden McNabb that injured him in Game 2, Kuznetsov said he didn't have an issue with it, calling it a "hockey play," and confirming he didn't go through concussion protocol, according to Isabelle Khurshudyan of The Washington Post.
Kuznetsov is the leading point producer among all skaters in these playoffs with 25 in 21 games.
