The Caps defeated the New York Rangers 6-5 on Sunday afternoon thanks to a game-winning overtime goal from Evgeny Kuznetsov.
It may have even been Alex Ovechkin. Both practically put the puck in at the same time but the Caps gave credit to Kuznetsov.
MAYHEM! #ALLCAPS #CapsRangers pic.twitter.com/nRr9MgWeCP
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) February 24, 2019
Kuznetsov’s goal ended a six-game goalless drought. He’s had a roller coaster like of a season following a career playoff year that led the Caps to the Stanley Cup.
If Alex Ovechkin didn’t win the Conn Smythe Trophy for playoffs MVP, the title would’ve very likely went to Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov led the Capitals in points with 32 as well as 12 assists to complement 12 goals. Some of those goals were as poetic as his fluttering bird celebration.
His biggest came in the second round in Game 6, a breakaway feed from Ovechkin to slay their playoff demons and the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Kuznetsov began the season on a tear with at least a point in each of his first eight games. In all he had 13 points (5 goals, 8 assists).
Kuznetsov had some razzle-dazzle goals such as this one against Toronto.
Kuznetsov had a bit of consistency in the early part of the season until the calendar flipped to December. It was from Dec. 4 to Jan. 10 where Kuznetsov couldn’t score a goal.
That’s a stretch of 17 games. It came to an end on Jan. 12 with a big goal to tie the Capitals game against the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Kuznetsov since then leveled his play before the recent drop-off that ended Sunday. The Caps recently had a season-long six-game homestand before going on their longest road trip.
In the final four games, Kuznetsov had 10 points (5 goals, 5 assists).
But another thing that’s noteworthy about Kuznetsov isn’t just his goal scoring, sauce passes, and sick dangles. It’s also his humor off the ice.
His class clown spotlight shines the brightest in postgame locker room scrums. Sometimes his words are unintentional, intentional or the occasional curse word.
Let’s take note of what Kuznetsov said on Sunday after the game.
Nick Jensen, Nicklas Backstrom, Evgeny Kuznetsov, and Nic Dowd talk with the media after today's #CapsRangers OT victory pic.twitter.com/xyWWs6yoJ7
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) February 24, 2019
“Sometimes the pucks gonna bounce other way, right? I feel like 5-on-6 we play well but sometimes the good players, they’re gonna have chances,” said Kuznetsov.
“I can’t swear anymore, you know? I wish I can explain better but sometimes bad happens right?”
Sometimes bad happens. It’s a another Kuzyism and it’s why his personality is one of the best maybe not just on the team but the league.
Did you know that Kuznetsov is afraid of snakes? Earlier in the season he took part in the game: What’s in the box?
https://twitter.com/NHL/status/1049344923940532224
As fans, we appreciate a guy like Kuznetsov. Someone that brings a smile to the locker room, someone that puts on dazzlying passes and goals.
Kuznetsov’s goal on Sunday ended a six-game goalless drought. He currently has 16 goals and 40 assists for 56 points.
With the Caps chasing the New York Islanders for first place in the Metropolitan Division, the team needs Kuznetsov now more than ever to elevate his play like he does with his leg in the bird cellys.
If he can return to that form he had last postseason into the early part of this season, the Caps would soar down the stretch.
And if he plays like he did last postseason this upcoming spring, the possibilities are endless.