Kuznetsov collected an assist in Friday's 5-1 win over the Lightning.

EDGE Analysis

The Capitals welcomed back star defenseman John Carlson from a lower-body injury, which jump-started a team that had just one win in six games during his absence. Kuznetsov's apple was his fifth of the season, and he's scored two goals through 10 games played. Fantasy managers are accustomed to huge performances from Kuznetsov, who does have a four-point game on the ledger, but overall, he's been inconsistent early this season.

Kuznetsov scored twice and added two assists, all on the power play, in Monday's 5-4 win over the Oilers.

EDGE Analysis

Kuznetsov's goal at 18:09 of the third period stood as the game-winner. He hadn't scored in his first 12 games of the campaign before Monday's monster performance. The 30-year-old center now has 11 points (five on the power play), 29 shots on net, 14 PIM and a minus-2 rating through 13 contests this season. He's struggled early on, so fantasy managers will hope this outing sparks some consistency in Kuznetsov's play.

Kuznetsov notched a power-play assist and two shots on goal in Monday's 3-2 shootout loss to the Hurricanes.

EDGE Analysis

Kuznetsov helped out on an Alex Ovechkin goal in the second period. While he's still looking for his first goal of the campaign, Kuznetsov has supplied six helpers. His assist Monday was his first power-play point of the year, and it ended a three-game point drought. The center has added 18 shots on net, 10 PIM and an even plus-minus rating in nine appearances.

Kuznetsov has completed his one-game suspension and will return to the Washington lineup Saturday against the Kings.

EDGE Analysis

Kuznetsov was suspended for Thursday's tilt against Ottawa after clipping Vancouver's Kyle Burroughs with a high-stick during Monday's win over the Canucks. Look for Kuznetsov to return to a top-six role Saturday versus L.A. He has four assists in four games this season.

The NHL suspended Kuznetsov for one game for high-sticking Vancouver's Kyle Burroughs.

EDGE Analysis

The incident occurred during Washington's 6-4 win against the Canucks on Monday. The NHL felt this incident was suspension worthy because of the high location of contact and the purposeful nature of Kuznetsov's stick swing towards Burroughs. Kuznetsov had also previously been fined by the NHL, so he has a minor history of supplemental discipline. Kuznetsov will miss Thursday's game against Ottawa, but he's eligible to return for Saturday's contest versus Los Angeles.

The NHL's Department of Player Safety has scheduled a hearing Tuesday with Kuznetsov.

EDGE Analysis

Kuznetsov is under scrutiny for high-sticking Vancouver's Kyle Burroughs during Washington's 6-4 win over the Canucks on Monday. The incident occurred late in the second period and resulted in a minor penalty. Kuznetsov also registered three assists in the game, giving him four points in four games this season.

Kuznetsov (undisclosed) will suit up Monday against Vancouver, Mike Vogel of the Capitals' official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

Kuznetsov was considered a game-time call but he'll be in his usual spot as Washington's second-line center. The 30-year-old is averaging 20:04 of ice time through three games but he's been limited to just one assist and a minus-1 rating.

Kuznetsov (undisclosed) will be a game-time decision Monday against Vancouver, Samantha Pell of The Washington Post reports.

EDGE Analysis

Kuznetsov won't participate in the Capitals' morning skate and his availability will be determined closer to puck drop. He has one assist in three games this season.

Kuznetsov tallied an assist and a plus-2 rating while logging 16:56 of ice time during Saturday's 3-1 win over the Canadiens.

EDGE Analysis

Kuznetsov had been held off the scoresheet in Washington's first two games -- and was subsequently demoted to the second line and second power-play unit in advance of Saturday's game. The 30-year-old has a high ceiling for the rest of the season, but his short-term fantasy value takes a hit as long as he's not working with the likes of Alex Ovechkin on the power play, so monitor his usage over the coming days.

Kuznetsov has been moved down to the second line in practice Saturday, Tarik El-Bashir of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Kuznetsov and the Capitals are both off to slow starts as the Russian has yet to pick up a point in two contests, while the Capitals have started the season 0-2-0. Kuznetsov is centering T.J. Oshie and Anthony Mantha at practice as coach Peter Laviolette is shuffling his top two lines.