After a four day layoff, the Capitals had every excuse to look sluggish early. Instead Evgeny Kuznetsov scored on a breakaway goal after an exceptional step-up in the neutral zone by defenseman Dmitry Orlov.
The goal would give the Caps a 1-0 lead. They are 8-1-1 when they score first.
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Pick 6️⃣! #CapsKings #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/jDQAQdSodJ
— #CapsFightCancer (@Capitals) December 1, 2017
Orlov read the play Kings play perfectly, lifting Tyler Toffoli’s stick and taking the puck into the neutral zone with a head of steam. Orly then hit Kuznetsov with a perfect seam pass.
Kuznetsov took care of the rest.
Kuzy just Knew Things on this goal.
Kuznetsov on his breakaway goal: "[Dmitry Orlov] step up in the neutral zone and then like I knew he was going to pass it. I knew I was going to be open." pic.twitter.com/12FaHjc3AY
— Ian Oland (@ianoland) December 1, 2017
The primary assist was Orlov’s 100th career point.
Congrats on 💯 @orlov_09! #CapsKings #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/Jc2uXxn530
— #CapsFightCancer (@Capitals) December 1, 2017
Orlov now sits 10th in his draft class in points.
Top 10 defensemen with most points from 2009 #NHL draft
Hedman 318
Ekman-Larsson 266
Leddy 236
Barrie 209
Kulikov 150
Ellis 141
VATANEN 126
Savard 116
Ekholm 100
Orlov 99 pic.twitter.com/WYy9GOiF15— The Hockey News (@TheHockeyNews) November 30, 2017
