Not even an elimination game will stop Evgeny Kuznetsov from pulling out his trick shots.
Kuznetsov went for his spot on highlight reels Saturday night, attempting a lacrosse-style goal in Game Four against the New York Rangers. With the game tied 3-3 near the end of regulation, Kuznetsov was inches away from taking the lead in perhaps the flashiest way possible.
While Kuznetsov was able to scoop up the puck and bring it to the front of the net, Rangers defenseman Adam Fox knocked it off his stick before he could sling it past goaltender Igor Shesterkin.
Kuznetsov had already scored on a snipe less than two minutes into the game, beating both defenseman Jacob Trouba and Shesterkin to open scoring on the night. He now has five points (3g, 2a) in eight postseason games for Carolina.
His strong performance in Game Four came amidst an otherwise rocky second-round series: he sat out as a healthy scratch in Game Two against New York and played just 8:38 in Game Four while skating on the team’s fourth line.
The Russian centerman has never pulled off a Michigan goal in-game — at least not yet — but Kuznetsov is no stranger to trying, even against the Rangers. Kuznetsov nearly managed the feat for the Capitals in 2018 but lost the puck before completing the move.
“When I get that move, I got so excited, I forgot about the finish,” Kuznetsov said then, per the Washington Post, adding, “I’m glad I didn’t score, so I can try again.”
Kuznetsov may not have gotten the lacrosse goal this time either, but he’ll have at least one more opportunity this season. The Carolina Hurricanes retook the lead late in regulation Saturday to force a Game Five on Monday.
Carolina is down 3-1 in the series and will need to rattle off three more consecutive victories to move on to the Eastern Conference Finals.
Resilience. pic.twitter.com/3gTY0B7O6y
— Carolina Hurricanes (@Canes) May 11, 2024
