Evgeny Kuznetsov, Capitals’ Game 7 hero, ‘has the joy in his game’
WASHINGTON, DC – He’s not jaded, nor overwhelmed by the expectations and disappointments that eventually crush the confidence of the Washington Capitals in seemingly every postseason.
Maybe Evgeny Kuznetsov didn’t realize Game 7 is where the Capitals’ journeys end, where their Stanley Cup dreams wither and die. Or maybe he’s just too new, too fresh and too blissful to know better.
“He has joy in his game. Joy in playing, joy in being at the rink,” said coach Barry Trotz of Kuznetsov, who sent the Capitals to the Metro Division finals against the New York Rangers with a Game 7 goal that eliminated the New York Islanders, 2-1.
“We always grow up and lose the boy in us, but he’s got the boy in his game and his attitude, and he’s got the maturity of a good young man.”
His game-winning goal captured that dichotomy.
There was Kuznetsov on the right wing boards. A veteran player might not think to just flip on the jets and skate to the middle of the ice like he’s being controlled in a video game, the middle of the ice where few players had room to operate all night. But Kutznetsov went there.
A veteran player might have fired from the slot, hoping to beat the seemingly unbeatable Jaroslav Halak while square to him. But Kuznetsov kept the puck on his stick.
“More patience that 95 percent of the guys in the league [in that spot],” said defenseman Brooks Orpik.
He waited, until Halak was sprawled in his crease, until Johnny Boychuck had toppled to the ice in desperation. He waited to find the room to fire the puck where he wanted to put it – top corner.
“I saw the room between goalie and post. I saw Boychuck go down. That’s why I shot high,” he said.
It was a perfect shot, at the perfect time: 12:42 of the third period, breaking a 1-1 tie, and eventually serving as the game-winner. And it was a move out of the mind of a 22-year-old player, with the poise of a scorer mature beyond his years.
“It’s just the way he creates. Some guys give up the puck earlier. He’s just got so much confidence right now. He creates time and space. He’s probably the most improved guy from start of the season until now,” said Orpik.
This is the first Stanley Cup postseason for Kuznetsov, who was drafted No. 26 overall in the 2010 Entry Draft but only debuted with the Capitals last season. He spent a few seasons in the KHL, where he earned big money and some viral video fame with a collection of goal celebrations that ranged from playing dead to rowing an invisible kayak.
Some assumed he’d be a showboat in the NHL. Trotz said that’s been anything but the case.
“Kuzy’s one of those guys that loves to laugh, but he’s very, very humble. He wants to learn. He’s a student of the game,” he said.
His improvement through the season has lead to dynamic start this his playoffs: Three goals and an assist in seven games against Jaroslav Halak and to the Islanders.He briefly played with Halak last season when the goalie joined the Capitals via trade, and learned a bit about his tendencies.
“He always asked us to shoot as hard as we could in practice. To simulate a game shot,” said Kuznetsov. “I understand that this is a good goalie. But [Braden] Holtby played better. And this is why we have Holtby.”
It appeared it might be “same old Capitals” after Holtby gave up a soft goal to Frans Nielsen to tie the game. But Kuznetsov is the kind of difference maker all of those other Capitals teams that failed to win Game 7s – they were 1-4 on home ice in them since 2008 – lacked.
“He’s so good with the puck and not scared of making plays either. Beautiful goal there,” said center Nicklas Backstrom.
“He’s a young guy. He’s learning every day about the system and the game over here. He’s taken a lot of steps since last year. We need everyone on board, everyone to produce.”
In the most important moment of the season, that’s what Kuznetsov did, in front of friends and family that came to watch him at Verizon Center. And now, they have a chance to watch him battle the Rangers in Round 2, perhaps even traveling to Madison Square Garden for Game 1 later this week.
“I know tickets are very expensive,” said Kuznetsov.
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