Evgeny Kuznetsov steals the puck before scoring his first goal of the game. (Photo credit: Atlant Moscow Region).

On Friday, Washington Capitals top prospect Evgeny Kuznetsov scored two goals and tallied the game-winning shootout goal (aka the DC Hat Trick) in Traktor Cheylabinsk’s 4-3 win over Atlant. Kuznetsov has now scored in four-straight games, and has 16 goals on the season, which puts him tied for 5th amongst all KHL players.

Now let’s see these highlights.

Kuznetsov’s goals are at the 1:15 and 3:45 marks. His shootout attempt is at 6:15.

Late in the first, Kuzya gave Traktor a 2-1 lead on a goal where he showed both great strength and a nose for the net. After winning a puck battle near the boards (see the headline picture), Kuzya fed the puck to a teammate who fired a one-timer. Kuzya, hooked and held by an Atlant defensemen, then was the first to the rebound and slammed the puck home.

At the end of the second period, Kuzya tied the game at three with a breakaway goal. The score would stay that way until the shootout. Kuznetsov would then take care of business then, too, scoring on his shootout attempt with a surprise shot from the slot that fooled Anton Khudobin. Traktor would win the shootout with a score of 2-0, and the game 4-3.

Evgeny Kuznetsov plays some pre-game soccer.