Tuesday night, Evgeny Kuznetsov continued his dominance in three-on three overtime, registering his league-leading 38th primary assist of the season on Alex Ovechkin’s game-winning goal. And it happened on Russian Heritage Night at Verizon Center.
The forechecking clinic started at the 3:48 mark with Kuznetsov carrying the puck into the zone (offside) and dropping a pass for Ovechkin, whose shot just missed the top corner of the net. After a few more chances, the Russians ran a set play behind the net where Kuznetsov sent a perfect saucer pass into Ovechkin’s wheelhouse.
One-timer.
Seven-hole.
It was Ovechkin’s league-leading 42nd goal of the season and the 517th of his career.
.@ovi8 (@washcaps) extended his franchise records for game-winning goals (87) and overtime goals (17). #CARvsWSH pic.twitter.com/QOPHuHH9ee
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) March 16, 2016
Ovechkin also leads the NHL in overtime goals since 2005-06.
After the game, Ovechkin gave credit to his Russian brother from another mother.
“I thought I have [Eddie Lack] on the first shot,” Ovechkin said, according to NHL.com’s Katie Brown. “I hit the post or hit the stick. We continued to play and Kuzy make nice sauce.”
That sounds delicious, a perfect complement to drizzle over win number fifty.
I think I was a little excited after Ovi's GWG was upheld. pic.twitter.com/U1zs9MBQ2J
— Rachel L. Cohen @ sporps hell (@kat326) March 16, 2016
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