Even though Evgeny Kuznetsov is goalless in his last 12 games and scoreless in his last seven, he’s been dangerous lately every time he’s had the puck on his stick. On Wednesday night, the Capitals’ debonair dangler deked Oilers goaltender Viktor Fasth onto his rear and scored a most beautiful shootout goal.
(Someone had to do some paralyzing since Matt Hendricks didn’t get an attempt.)
To properly appreciate this goal, please play Kenny Loggin’s Danger Zone loudly in your office, dorm room, or mobile device.
As Kuzy snakes towards the net, he shuffles the puck back in forth. Right before he gets to the crease, Kuznetsov hesitates slightly. He dekes hard to his backhand before bringing it back to his forehand and sliding the puck past Fasth’s right leg.
I’d say “sliding the puck past Fasth’s outstretched right leg” but the only thing that’s happening here was Fasth falling on his keister.
Kuznetsov is now a career 5 for 11 in the shootout. It seems like every game he looks more and more confident. This bodes well for the second half.
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