In a sixth-straight win for the Russians at the Ice Hockey World Championships, the Washington Capitals Russians were some of the stars of the show.
Against Team Switzerland in the 3-0 win, Washington Capitals defenseman Dmitry Orlov got things started for Team Russia with a highlight reel play as he crashed the net, put a move around Swiss defenseman Lukas Frick and shot the puck on net. He was stopped by Leonardo Genoni, but Artem Anisimov put home the rebound to put the Russians up 1-0.
Orlov is apart of a Russian defense and goaltending tandem that has allowed just three goals and four shutouts this tournament. Russia has one more round robin game against Sweden left on the schedule.
Tampa Bay Lightning forward Nikita Kucherov had two of the three goals for the Russians in the win. Kucherov now leads the tournament with 14 points.
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Leading the shutout effort for the Russians was New York Rangers goaltender Alexander Georgiev, who recorded his second shutout in the Worlds on 31 saves.
The win was the Russians’ ninth straight win over the Swiss at the Worlds.
Evgeny Kuznetsov and Alex Ovechkin, who play on the same line, didn’t register a point in the game. Kuznetsov has two goals and three games in the tournament, while Ovechkin has a goal and an assist. On defense, Orlov has a goal and four assists.
Kirill Kaprizov is the linemate for the Capitals pair, and despite lacking the production they’re looking for, he believes it’s coming soon.
“It’s not the first time we played together,” Kaprizov said after the game. “It’s going well. We created plenty of chances tonight but couldn’t put them away. God willing, that will come in future games.”
Team Russia will advance to the knockout stage, where Ovechkin, Kuznetsov and Orlov will try and help Team Russia earn a gold medal for the first time since 2014.
The tournament will end no later than May 26th for the Capitals Russians, so there won’t any worry of fatigue lasting throughout the summer. On the plus side, there’s never a downside to spending more time with one another in the offseason.
Should Team Russia advance to the gold medal game, and even win it, there’s always more space to occupy Ovechkin and Company’s trophy case.
If Sweden can defeat Latvia in regulation on Monday, then the Russia and Sweden game on Tuesday will be for first place in Group B.
After that will come the knockout stage, where the trio will look for their second championship in less than 365 days.