Evgeny Kuznetsov was healthy enough to provide a goal and an assist as the Washington Capitals defeated the Vegas Golden Knights 3-1 in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Finals on Saturday night.
Alex Ovechkin and Devante Smith-Pelly also scored for Washington at Capital One Arena.
The Capitals lead the best-of-seven series 2-1, ahead of Game 4 on Monday night in Washington.
Saturday night marked the first Stanley Cup Final game in Washington in two decades, with the Capitals winning on home ice for the first time at this stage of the season. They went 0-2 at home in the 1998 finals against the Detroit Red Wings.
Washington goalie Braden Holtby made 21 saves. Holtby faced only 13 shots through two periods.
Tomas Nosek scored for Vegas, who have lost two games in a row, and Golden Knights goalie Marc-Andre Fleury stopped 23 shots.
Kuznetsov, the NHL playoff scoring leader, was on the ice after suffering an upper-body injury in Game 2, creating uncertainty about his availability. He has registered 27 points in the postseason, including an assist on Ovechkin's goal.
Capitals defenseman Brooks Orpik also was in the lineup after he needed stitches to repair a finger injury sustained in Game 2.
Australia's Nathan Walker was again left out of the Capitals' squad for the clash.
The Sydney 24-year-old had starred for Washington in the second round of the playoffs, but has been left out of all three Stanley Cup games.
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