Braden Holtby better watch his back, because Evgeny Kuznetsov is coming for his starter’s spot. During practice on Thursday morning, the forward swapped his usual gear for goalie pads for about 20 minutes, taking shots from Philipp Grubauer and Dmitry Orlov.
The Capitals Twitter account initially posted video.
Which Caps forward do you think is wearing the goalie gear?
A. @TJOshie77
B. @Kuzya92
C. @tom_wilso
D. @ovi8 pic.twitter.com/s90mhAjLAD— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) January 4, 2018
And Caps media posted shots through the glass.
Who’s that goalie, you ask? Why, it’s Evgeny Kuznetsov! pic.twitter.com/Ioc0RB2Ybv
— Isabelle Khurshudyan (@ikhurshudyan) January 4, 2018
Grubi decided to try his best TJ Oshie impression and attempted to dangle.
It’s just Grubauer taking shots on Kuznetsov. #Caps pic.twitter.com/0GDFLwptyG
— Tarik El-Bashir⌨️🎙🏒 (@TarikNBCS) January 4, 2018
Orlov, however, didn’t go easy on his fellow countryman, firing hard slapshots form the blueline.
Orlov wasn’t dialing it back vs. Kuznetsov, either. #Caps pic.twitter.com/IUokfa0AuF
— Tarik El-Bashir⌨️🎙🏒 (@TarikNBCS) January 4, 2018
At one point, Kuzy confidently punted a puck with his pad after making a save.
"To beat goalie.. one must BE goalie" 🥅
–@Kuzya92, probably pic.twitter.com/HF4IzYkGbw
— NBC Sports Capitals (@NBCSCapitals) January 4, 2018
After practice, Kuznetsov explained that he had some sort of bet on the line with Dmitry Orlov.
.@kuzya92 gave goaltending a go today after practice. #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/DuwykVEI6O
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) January 4, 2018
“We have a challenge and we play for fun,” Kuznetsov explained.
Kuzy, who asked Barry Trotz for permission to suit up a while ago, stopped enough pucks to win.
“[Orlov] lose twice so he needs to get better,” Kuzy joked.
Kuznetsov would go on to explain that he played goalie as a kid sometimes in Russia.
“When I was young I used to play a lot,” Kuznetsov said. “It’s kind of cool.”
Thursday’s practice wasn’t even the first time Kuznetsov has gone between the pipes at Kettler Capitals Iceplex. Kuznetsov did it earlier this year as well, after a training camp skate.
Maybe stick to your day job, Kuzy. We need you out there scoring goals, not stopping them!
Header photo: NBC Sports Washington’s Tarik El-Bashir
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