If you thought the Capitals would be hanging their heads and feeling sorry for themselves after losing five consecutive games, you’d be wrong.
After a late start to practice due to a team meeting, the Capitals took the ice and they were loose.
A perfect example would be Evgeny Kuznetsov. The Capitals center, who was recently demoted to the third line, was one of the first players on the ice on Monday and he stayed on the ice for more than thirty minutes after practice officially ended to practice one-timers.
Kuznetsov was one of the first players on the ice as practice started. Kuzy skated around on an empty sheet of ice for above five minutes just stick-handling and shooting pucks at the net. He waved at the camera to say hello.
The team did its usual passing and shooting drills before practicing their powerplay and five-on-five rushes. Kuznetsov was engaged in serious discussions with his new linemate Dmitrij Jaskin on the bench.
A handful of Caps remained on the ice after practice ended, working on their one-timers. Kuznetsov was one of them.
After about thirty minutes of extra practice, things started to get a little silly.
Kuznetsov debuted a new one-timer stance–crouching low to the ice with his knees pointed together, to the amusement of his fellow teammates.
(You’ll notice there’s only one set of photos of Kuznetsov taking one-timers like a weirdo. That’s because Michal Kempny decided at this point it would be funny to cover up my camera with the blade of his stick and follow me around with the stick.)
The silliness continued as Jaskin took a tumble onto the ice and decided he wanted to take Kuznetsov down with him. Kuznetsov and Dmitry Orlov teamed up to dogpile on top of Jaskin behind the net.
— 🏒After Me I Give to You❤️ (@OviesNicky) January 21, 2019
Jaskin finally wrestled his way free of Orlov and Kuznetsov and gave chase.
Jaskin caught Kuznetsov by one of his straps and pulled him down, tugging his jersey over his head. Orlov swung by and attempted to aid Kuznetsov by giving Jaskin a few taps on the rump.
And that’s how you bond with a new linemate when the team is in a slump.
