Photo: @designoabe

Unlike fellow Russian teammate Alex Ovechkin, Evgeny Kuznetsov has remained in DC since the season ended. On Tuesday, Kuznetsov celebrated his 23rd birthday with friends at Mari Vanna, a Russian restaurant on Connecticut Avenue. As per Russian tradition (I guess), there were terrifyingly large sparklers (how the building didn’t burn down, I don’t know) and a birthday cake. Also clapping. Lots of clapping.

Look at that smile.

Happy birthday @kuzy092 #mahman @designoabe #mahboy

A photo posted by Pete (@peteglowdc) on May 19, 2015 at 7:01pm PDT

Earlier in the night, Kuznetsov shared a video from an old, famous Soviet film featuring Evgeny Leonov. According to Igor Kleyner, the character in the movie says, “Why do I sing? Because I drink!”

23 уже по нашему🇷🇺🎂🎁 pic.twitter.com/tOh1Q7GyG0

— Evgeny Kuznetsov (@Kuzya92) May 19, 2015

So I’m guessing he had fun. And if there’s anyone who deserves it, it’s the guy who led the team in playoff goals.

A video posted by Evgeny Kuznetsov (@kuzy092) on May 14, 2015 at 8:14pm PDT