Coming into Thursday’s game against the Florida Panthers, the Washington Capitals are the best team in the league and they’re taking this honor very seriously.
During a Very Serious Evgeny Kuznetsov interview, Alex Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom did Kuzy’s signature goal celebration, flapping their wings up and down like a bird.
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Hear from @Kuzya92 who sits down with @VogsCaps in Florida as Washington looks to stay hot on the road against a strong Panthers team lead by a new coach.#ALLCAPS #CapsCats pic.twitter.com/GVXunUJzkW
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) November 7, 2019
As Kuznetsov’s interview began, Alex Ovechkin can be heard yelling in the background. Kuznetsov looks up coyly and smiles.
“KUZZZZ,” Ovechkin screams. “GIVE EM THE BIRD.”
Vogel asked Kuznetsov, as Ovechkin continued speaking loudly in the background, what was behind the Caps’ 7-1-1 record away from home.
“I feel like on the road, it all starts with we have extra sleep in the morning and the game routine a little bit different,” Kuznetsov said. “On the road, I feel we play a little bit more structured.”
Then Kuznetsov looked over and Ovechkin and Backstrom were doing his bird celly. He laughed.
He managed to finish his answer. What a professional.
This isn’t the first time Ovechkin has been insufferable to his Russian comrade during a live interview.
During Kuznetsov’s first season with the Capitals, Ovechkin frequently made fun of Kuzy’s English, saying nonsense and canned lines in the background. Here’s one former exchange.
“Kuzma!” Ovechkin shouts.
“You can’t speak English,” he says. “Kuzya, let’s go.”
Kuznetsov ignores him.
“I score big goal,” Ovechkin said.
Kuznetsov eventually got Ovechkin back by holding up a jockstrap during one of his interviews.
That's Evgeny Kuznetsov holding his jock strap over Alex Ovechkin's media scrum. pic.twitter.com/DqTmzgiG7b
— Adam Vingan (@AdamVingan) January 12, 2015
Full RMNB Coverage of Caps at Panthers
Headline photo: @Capitals
