Kuznetsov is on pace for just 30 points, which would be his lowest 82-game total over his 11-year career with the Capitals.

WASHINGTON — Back on Wednesday, head coach Spencer Carbery thought that Evgney Kuznetsov had his best game of the season. He had a goal and an assist and appeared to be playing top-line caliber hockey. Just 48 hours later, he took a big step back.

Kuznetsov struggled against the Carolina Hurricanes and capped off a so-so showing with an unsportsmanlike — and costly — slashing call that fueled Carolina's third-period surge in an eventual 6-2 steamrolling.

Now, the question remains for the Capitals: what do they do about Kuznetsov, whose name has reemerged in trade talks? For Carbery, there's a simple answer: maintaining that high level of play from Wednesday.

"There were tons of different instances where he was moving his fast, looked fast, won battles in the defensive and offensive zones... it's a consistency thing and being able to do that night after night," Carbery said. "It's not always going to end up in a goal or an assist, but there needs to be a certain level that you can rely on, especially as playing as a first-line center in the National Hockey League against other teams' best players.”

Then, there's getting Kuznetsov back to having fun and rekindling his joy for the game. That was evident a couple of games back when he broke into his famous "birdman" celebration, but getting that same passion and spirit for 82 games is a "challenge," as Carbery put it.

"It's a challenge this league provides. Like, it’s a grind. And to bring that energy enthusiasm, competitiveness, night after night after night, it's not easy for anyone," Carbery said. "I don't care if you’re a first-year player or 13-year player in the league. I agree, I think that's something. Enjoying the competitiveness and the battle and being able to play in the best league in the world, in my opinion, is something that is important."

The Capitals face the Los Angeles Kings in the third game of a five-game homestand on Sunday. It is unclear how the lineup will look with Alex Ovechkin a game-time decision and the team working through a bit with the lineup, but Carbery is hoping to see Kuznetsov recapture that flash he saw back on Wednesday and, this time, run with it.