Friday night, the Caps and Hurricanes traded leads all night long, forcing a shootout to determine the victor. That ended up being bad news for the Canes.
Barry Trotz sent out TJ Oshie and Evgeny Kuznetsov consecutively. Both players scored, ending the skills competition a round early.
TJ Oshie’s shootout goal
Oshie in a shootout. Guess what happens? #CapsCanes #RockTheRed pic.twitter.com/afwTnD145e
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) December 17, 2016
TJ Oshie is shifty and patient shooter in his approach. Oshie has a variety of moves that he may unleash, improvising once he reaches the circles.
Oshie deked to his backhand before quickly putting the puck back on his forehand and rifling a shot top shelf past Ward.
It was Oshie’s 37th career shootout goal. He’s a career 55.2% shooter. Oshie has scored on both of his attempts this season and has scored on 75% of his attempts during his time with the Capitals (6 for 8).
Evgeny Kuznetsov’s shootout goal
Kuzy sealed it in the shootout. Sick hands. #CapsCanes #RockTheRed pic.twitter.com/R76k3K9bhF
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) December 17, 2016
Meanwhile Evgeny Kuznetsov is much more active in his approach.
Kuznetsov rocked the puck back and forth countless times before hesitating as if he were going to shoot on his forehand. Kuzy then put the puck on his backhand and roofed the shot past Ward’s outstretched glove.
Kuznetsov is now 11 for 24 in his career (45.8%) and 2 for 3 this season in the shootout.
Kuzy didn’t have much of a celly…
NBD Celly @kuzya92 #CapsCanes pic.twitter.com/yp6eddOHGQ
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) December 17, 2016
…but Cam Ward was certainly pissed.
I’d be frustrated too. Those two particular Caps are nearly unstoppable.
