Photo: Carey Lauder
Sixty minutes of play couldn’t decide it, so the Washington Capitals and Winnipeg Jets went to overtime with the game tied 1-1. That had been typically good news for the Capitals. Heading into Saturday, the team was 2-1 in three-on-three overtime. The Capitals sport some talented stick-handlers — Alex Ovechkin, Nicklas Backstrom, TJ Oshie, and Evgeny Kuznetsov — who take advantage of open ice.
Kuznetsov had scored both of the Caps’ OTGWGs this season, dominating the overtime periods with his stickwork and skating ability.
On Halloween night, Kuznetsov used his speed (and this sweet hesitation) to defeat the Panthers.
Three weeks later on November 18, Kuzy skated around all three Red Wings players and beat Petr Mrazek.
Against the Jets on Saturday, Kuznetsov had one of his most impressive shifts of the season, literally skating laps in the offensive zone. Here’s video of the entire thing.
Kuznetsov skated one minute and thirteen seconds during the shift and generated three chances, including two almost goals. It was like everyone was skating in slow motion and he was in a video game.
| 2:46 | Washington | Shot on goal by Justin Williams saved by Connor Hellebuyck (Wristshot 11 ft) |
| 3:07 | Washington | Shot on goal by Evgeny Kuznetsov saved by Connor Hellebuyck (Wristshot 21 ft) |
| 3:23 | Washington | John Carlson shot blocked by Nikolaj Ehlers |
The next shift Two shifts later, Barry Trotz put Jay Beagle out with TJ Oshie and Dmitry Orlov. The Caps surrendered a controversial OTGWG to Mark Scheifele. The Caps’ OT record went to 2-2.
We all assumed the Caps would fare well this season with this new overtime format, but Kuznetsov’s performance so far has been revelation. And he’s only 23.
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