Evgeny Kuznetsov Scores Game-Winning Goal After Dominant Shift by Second Line

February 17, 2016 12:38 am

Photo: Geoff Burke

The Washington Capitals are a very good hockey team. One of the reasons why they’re so dangerous is their secondary scoring, especially lately.

Andre Burakovsky has eight goals in his last ten games; Justin Williams has 18 goals on the season and is the Caps’ fourth leading scorer (39 points); and Evgeny Kuznetsov has been the Caps offensive MVP, leading the team in total points (57) and the entire NHL in primary assists (33). With the game tied 1-1 and 2:30 left in the third period, the trio got their lunch pails out and scored an ugly goal to win the game.

Here’s video of the entire shift.

Let’s summarize all the tiny plays here that combined to make the goal happen.

Big save by Philipp Grubauer
Great outlet pass by Nate Schmidt.
Andre Burakovsky carries the puck into the offensive zone.
Justin Williams puts on a forechecking clinic, keeping the puck away from defenseman Brayden McNabb.
Evgeny Kuznetsov takes a pass from Williams and makes a power move to the net.
Andre Burakovsky gathers in the loose puck and makes his own power move to the net.
Justin Williams skates into the crease and gathers in Burakovsky’s rebound.
Evgeny Kuznetsov crashes the net.
Justin Williams skates behind the net and finds Evgeny Kuznetsov wide open for the no-angle goal.

Many times, hockey goals can seem lucky and random. This goal happened because the Caps’ second line overwhelmed and outworked the Kings.

After the game, Williams joked about the goal, making it sound easy.

Williams on his behind-the-net pass to Kuznetsov: "It’s tough to miss him when he’s standing right in front of the net."

— Katie Brown (@katiebhockey) February 17, 2016