Washington Nationals fan (and also very good hockey player) Evgeny Kuznetsov was one of the happiest players in the Capitals locker room after his linemate, TJ Oshie, was awarded the team’s hard hat for his two-goal performance against the Boston Bruins.
The hard hat is a Nationals batting helmet signed by the World Series-winning team. Adam Eaton gave it to the Caps the night they celebrated their championship at Capital One Arena.
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Obvi. @TJOshie77 ⛑ pic.twitter.com/F4RJqIy7k4
— Washington ☃️ Capitals (@Capitals) December 12, 2019
“It’s been staying on the right side for a while,” Oshie said, in acknowledgment of being give the helmet from Garnet Hathaway, also a right wing. “Great job, guys. I think all the goals, or definitely the five-on-five goals, are after good plays in our end or good plays getting the puck down the ice. Those don’t go unnoticed. A good way to start off the father’s trip.”
At the end of Oshie’s speech, Kuznetsov made a funny face and then started doing the baby shark chomp made famous by the Nationals during their World Series run.
After the speech, Oshie spoke to reporters minutes afterward. It’s where he made his loving comments to Jakub Vrana. The Athletic’s Tarik El-Bashir snapped a photo of the batting helmet.
Oshie, with two goals, gets the autographed Nats helmet. #Caps pic.twitter.com/B0beoAfDmI
— Tarik El-Bashir (@Tarik_ElBashir) December 12, 2019
It saddens me, as a collector, to notice that the Capitals are beginning to rub off some of the autographs on this historic helmet as they handle it with their sweaty hands postgame. It’s also worth pointing out that Mark Lerner printed his name on the bill of the batting helmet instead of signing his name.
Full RMNB Coverage of Caps vs Bruins
Photo: @Tarik_ElBashir
