After defeating the Winnipeg Jets 3-2 at Capital One Arena, the Capitals moved back into first place of the Metropolitan Division, but their lead is tenuous. The Caps are ahead of second-place Pittsburgh and third-place Philadelphia by one and four standing points respectively. The Caps are also only seven points ahead of the New Jersey Devils for the final playoff spot in the East.
This is why Evgeny Kuznetsov’s overtime game-winning goal could be huge later on in the year.
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Walk off! @Kuzya92 #CapsJets #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/uvjhI3xELA
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) March 13, 2018
The play was started by Chandler Stephenson whose diving breakup of a two-on-one centering pass allowed Kuznetsov to grab the puck.
Kuzy poked the biscuit past Dustin Byfuglien to zoom in for a breakaway attempt (which is appropos considering Buff’s earlier behavior in the night).
Kuzy then deked several times before deftly beating Connor Hellebuyck high and blocker-side.
“I don’t know, I feel like my legs was 15-years-old,” Kuznetsov said after the game. “I haven’t had good overtime in last like ten games probably. I just wanna score because I know that’s one point that make huge difference at end of year.”
The goal was Kuznetsov’s first overtime tally of the season and the fourth of his career.
