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Evgeny Kuznetsov and Jakub Vrana score in preseason debuts

By Brendan Doyle

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September 21, 2017 11:24 am

Wednesday night, the Capitals traveled to Montreal for their second preseason matchup of the year. It was the first, however, for the trio of Alex Ovechkin, Evgeny Kuznetsov, and Jakub Vrana. The three were linemates against the Canadiens and made the most of their time together on the ice in the Caps’ 4-2 victory.

Video

Kuznetsov got the party started quickly, scoring just 5:07 into the first. The Russian center took a stretch pass from Madison Bowey and put the puck past the Canadiens’ Carey Price and into the net for a power play goal.

Kuznetsov cut in between two Montreal defenders and crashed the net with speed, giving the Caps a 1-0 lead.

Four minutes later, the Capitals struck again on the power play again when Jakub Vrana threw a centering pass in front of the net that deflected under the bar and in.

The NHL credited the goal to Jakub Vrana, but the video looks like the puck might have hit off Kuznetsov’s stick. Who actually scored the goal? The world will never know.

Kuznetsov would add another assist on Tom Wilson‘s empty-net goal in the third period.

Kuznetsov finished with three points on the evening. Vrana added one point, as did Ovechkin.

Barry Trotz has confirmed that Kuznetsov and Ovechkin will start the year on a line together, but that the wing opposite the Great Eight is an open audition. Vrana, who is a candidate for the job, looked good in the spot Wednesday and may have further established himself as the frontrunner.

On another note, Kuznetsov wore an “A” tonight as an alternate captain for the Capitals.

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