Evgeny Kuznetsov just scored one of the most incredible goals of his career.
Playing against Amur Khabarovsk on Monday, Kuznetsov scored his first career lacrosse-style goal, though he did it in a new way.
Picking up a loose puck in the slot, Kuznetsov lifted the biscuit with the blade of his stick and then flung it in on his backhand from waist level. Amur goaltender Viktor Kobozev, who was making his KHL debut, watched helplessly as the puck hit the top left corner of the net.
The goal put SKA Saint Petersburg up 4-1 9:18 into the second period. Kuznetsov would score again 8:31 later, and SKA would go on to win 6-2.
Kuznetsov’s two goals marked his eighth and ninth tallies of the season, giving him his first multi-goal game for SKA. It also ended a five-game goalless drought for the Chelyabinsk native.
After a slow start, Kuznetsov now has 22 points (9g, 13a) in 24 games this season.
Kuznetsov connecting on a Michigan-like goal comes after years of trying. Kuznetsov attempted one against the New York Rangers during Game 4 of the Carolina Hurricanes’ second-round playoff series. The Russian centerman was able to scoop up the puck and bring it to the front of the net, but Rangers defenseman Adam Fox knocked it off his stick before he could sling it past goaltender Igor Shesterkin.
Kuznetsov nearly managed the feat for the Capitals in 2018 but again lost the puck before he could find paydirt.
“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.”
Earlier in the KHL season, Kuznetsov faked a Michigan to assist on Ivan Demidov’s first career KHL goal. After looking to pull the puck onto his tape for a potential wraparound, Kuznetsov ultimately fed a wide-open Demidov at Lada’s net front.
