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NHL reviewing slash by Capitals’ Kuznetsov on Canucks’ Burroughs

WASHINGTON, DC — The more you saw the video, the uglier you realized the incident was.

And now the NHL is going to take a look.

The NHL’s Department of Player Safety announced Tuesday morning they’re going to hold a hearing to review a slash by Washington Capitals center Evgeny Kuznetsov to the face of Vancouver Canucks defenseman Kyle Burroughs during Monday night’s game at Capital One Arena.

Late in the second period Kuznetsov drove to the Canucks net on a scoring chance but lost control of the puck and while he was trying to reclaim control of the puck, was checked by Burroughs near the Vancouver net.

Kuznetsov was knocked to the ice by Burroughs. After regaining his feet, in obvious frustration Kuznetsov swung his stick wildly at Burroughs, catching the defenseman in the face with his stick.

Burroughs fell to the ice in pain immediately and the agitated Kuznetsov proceeded to shove Burroughs in the back while the defenseman lay prone on the ice.

The referee whistled Kuznetsov for a high-sticking minor.

Further viewings of the replay suggested the penalty could have been harsher, perhaps even as high as a match penalty for intent to injure.

This isn’t the first time Kuzentsov has been in trouble with the NHL’s disciplinarians, either.