Evgeny Kuznetsov just scored his first goal in the KHL as a member of SKA Saint Petersburg in his first game back in the league. The 32-year-old centerman struck just 1:41 into the second period of SKA’s first regular season game of the 2024-25 season.
Kuznetsov benefitted from a turnover made by a Metallurg Magnitogorsk player trying to exit his zone as the puck landed on the tape of SKA’s Borna Rendulić. Rendulić fired a shot that clanged off the backboards behind Metallurg’s net directly to Kuznetsov.
The 2018 Stanley Cup champion immediately fired the puck into an open net past a sprawling Ilya Nabokov, drawing SKA level in the game 2-2.
The tally marked Kuznetsov’s first goal in the KHL since March 4, 2014, when he played in his final game with Traktor Chelyabinsk before coming over to the NHL’s Washington Capitals.
To celebrate, Kuznetsov flapped his arms and did his signature bird celly.
Kuznetsov was greeted first in the celebratory goal hug by top Montreal Canadiens prospect Ivan Demidov. Kuznetsov, Demidov, and Rendulić made up SKA’s third line in the game.
Rendulić found the scoresheet again later in the second frame as he put away SKA’s third goal to tie the game again, 3-3.
Ровно час до старта сезона 2024/25.
И вот в таком составе мы выходим на матч в Магнитогорске.
Вперёд, наш СКА! pic.twitter.com/Hhz77nUk8m— Хоккейный клуб СКА (@hcSKA) September 5, 2024
Kuznetsov, serving as SKA’s captain, was also great in the faceoff dot for SKA, winning 8 out of 11 draws through 40 minutes of regulation. His other involvement on the scoresheet was a two-minute minor penalty for tripping.
The former NHL All-Star signed an incentive-laden four-year deal with SKA over the summer after terminating his NHL contract with the Carolina Hurricanes. Kuznetsov explained in August that he was excited to play Russian hockey again.
“The decision was well-thought-out, and we made it as a family,” Kuznetsov said then. “Perhaps my time has come. Everyone has their own time, and it’s time to leave, or in this case to leave the NHL. We are all very happy to be in St. Petersburg.
“I had a very long year,” he continued. “I understood and realized a lot for myself. I really want to play Russian hockey, to immerse myself in the realities of the KHL. I will do it with pleasure.”
Kuznetsov had two offers from KHL clubs, one from SKA and the other from his hometown Traktor Chelyabinsk. He ultimately decided on SKA and played a full preseason with the club.
Congrats on the hot start, Kuzy!
