Washington Capitals Evgeny Kuznetsov healthy scratch versus Arizona Coyotes

The Washington Capitals announced that forward Evgeny Kuznetsov will be a healthy scratch for tonight’s game against the Arizona Coyotes.

Capitals head coach Spencer Carbery calls it a “mental reset.”

Kuznetsov was recently demoted to the fourth line during the Capitals’ game against the Vegas Golden Knights over the weekend. Kuznetsov’s 15:20 total time on ice marked his lowest of the season. He played just 3:41 in the final 20 minutes.

The 31-year-old has struggled this season, putting up four goals and five assists for nine points in 19 games; currently on pace for his lowest-scoring season since his second year in the NHL.

Carbery commented on the juggling of the lines and the inconsistency found, We’re looking at a different look up front and it might move around a little bit,” Carbery said Saturday to reporters “The line, just overall, we’ve been having some success but it hasn’t fared well analytically at all so we’ve got to look to make some adjustments and change some things up. Even though the old adage from a coach is that you keep it the same or a lot of coaches keep it the same when you win. But I think that’s not forward-thinking.”

The Russian center was drafted No. 26 overall in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft by the Capitals. He made his NHL debut with the Capitals in 2013-14 after playing a few seasons in the KHL. Kuznetsov won a Stanley Cup with Washington during the 2017-18 season and led all players in the playoffs with 20 assists and 32 points. In 699 career games with the Capitals, Kuznetsov has tallied 169 goals and 391 assists for 560 points.