Only two more players of the Washington Capitals are left to grade. Evgeny Kuznetsov… you’re up.
It seemed like Evgeny Kuznetsov was going to be an early Hart Trophy candidate for the Washington Capitals, at least in the first month of the season.
Following a career-high 27-goal, 83-point regular season in 2017-18, Kuznetsov followed that with playoff performance for the ages. Leading the Capitals with 32 points and 20 assists, while second to Alex Ovechkin in goals with 12 that spring, Kuznetsov was dazzling Caps fans while striking fear in each opponent.
The city of Pittsburgh is still recovering from this overtime goal that ended their season and possibly reversed the hockey fortunes in the years to come.
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Kuznetsov scored twice on opening night against the Boston Bruins and recorded at least a point in all but two of Washington’s first 15 games. Kuznetsov also had six goals in the Capitals first 12 games.
When the calendar flipped to November, Kuznetsov began to grow cold in the scoring department. He had a stretch of just one goal in 25 games from Nov. 5-Jan. 10.
Kuznetsov got better from Jan. 12-Feb. 11 with 17 points (8 goals, 9 assists) in 13 games and had a decent stretch from Feb. 24-March 20 with 10 points (5 goals, 5 assists) in 12 games.
Kuznetsov started out where the Capitals left off from Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final, the top line next to Ovechkin. Coach Todd Reirden placed him on different lines during Kuznetsov’s struggles and while at one point he was on the third line, he was mostly on the second line.
Kuznetsov finished the season with 21 goals (his second-highest), and 51 assists for 72 points. He was third on the team in points and assists and was still one of seven players to reach the 20-goal mark.
The playoffs presented a different story. Although Kuznetsov was third in points with six, five of those came on assists and he only had one goal which came in the Game 7 overtime defeat.
Shortly after the stunning finish, Kuznetsov, Reirden and General Manager Brian MacLellan knew that their 2010 first rounder needed to get better for next season.
MacLellan told NBC Sports Washington’s J.J. Regan:
"“I think the frustration from my point – or the organization’s point – is there’s a top 10 player in the League in there and when he’s on it’s a lot of fun to watch and our team is a lot better. And when the inconsistency is there, I think everybody gets a little frustrated because you want Top 10 Kuzy.”"
Final Grade B-: Kuznetsov doesn’t deserve the average grade of a C because he still had a slightly above-average regular season compared to years past. The disappearance in the playoffs was apparent not only from Kuznetsov but other key players as well with mostly Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom leading the charge. Those factors made this out to a B-.
The Capitals and their fans hope next season they’ll see the Kuznetsov they know and love. More no-look passes, dangles that can undress any defender or goalie, and epic bird cellys are what everyone would like to see.