Lifelong Caps fan and loyal RMNB reader Kit Troyer noticed something the NHL needs to address from Wednesday’s game. He explains below.
Caps coach Barry Trotz tried a new combination against the Bruins: Evgeny Kuznetsov between wingers Alex Ovechkin and Justin Williams. The new line paid quick dividends, with Williams scoring twice in the game’s first eight minutes.
Just like that, Williams doubled his season goal total, and a slumping Kuznetsov added two assists to his own ledger, as did Alex Ov… wait. What the hell?
Ovechkin received only one assist. It’s mystifying if you watch the replay.
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Certainly, there could be debate whether Kuznetsov himself deserved an assist – a Bruins player touched the puck before Williams slammed the puck home. Indeed, the scorekeepers initially decided he did not and labeled the goal unassisted.
However, once the decision was made later to grant 92 an apple, what possible rationale could there be for denying one to Ovechkin? He clearly passed the puck to Kuznetsov just moments before Kuzy drove to the net for the scoring play.
Caps radio man John Walton asked the same question during the game broadcast, but expressed confidence the error would get righted.
It has not as of 1pm Eastern Time Friday afternoon.
Come on, NHL. Do the right thing. Give 8 another apple.
