Evgeny Kuznetsov had three assists against the Florida Panthers Thursday. It was his 14th career game with three apples.
Kuzy also had this moment with Alex Ovechkin that left me scratching my head.
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Here’s the context. At this point, the game was tied in the third period 4-4. The Capitals were on a five-on-four powerplay.
Ovechkin, who had two goals at this point, was at the top of the circle. The Panthers’ penalty killer was shading the Great 8, giving Kuznetsov a lane to the net. Instead, Kuzy kept passing the puck back to Ovechkin until the Russian machine had to lob a pass to Kuzy into open space, almost causing a turnover.
Everyone on the ice kind of just stares at the two players like What is going on here?
Is it a power struggle between the two players? Is this Kuzy being too unselfish? Is this Kuzy wanting Ovechkin to get the hat trick and Ovechkin just making the correct play?
I’m not sure what to make of it. But it was weird. And Elmo and Ernie would be proud.
Full RMNB Coverage of Caps at Panthers
Headline photo: NBC Sports Washington