Evgeny Kuznetsov’s start with Salavat Yulaev is going swimmingly, or I guess, flappingly.
The former Capital has recorded three points in his first two games, including notching his first goal with his new team on Saturday.
Kuznetsov lit the lamp 5:14 into the third period on a delayed penalty call. Taking a pass from former Hershey Bears forward Sheldon Rempal, Kuznetsov beat Barys Astana goaltender Ádam Schéél from the top of the circles with a wrist shot to give Salavat Yulaev a 2-1 lead.
Kuznetsov celebrated by doing his trademark bird celly.
The goal was Kuznetsov’s second of the season and his first since a December 17 game against HC Sochi when he was a member of Metallurg Magnitogorsk.
Kuznetsov also registered a primary assist on Yegor Suchkov’s goal one minute into the game, sending a nasty, no-look pass right onto his teammate’s blade.
Kuznetsov’s goal would serve as the game-winner in Salavat Yulaev’s 3-1 win — his first GWG since November 18, 2024, with SKA St. Petersburg.
“Two important points,” Salavat Yulaev head coach Viktor Kozlov, a former Capital himself, said to Match TV, and a translation per Google Translate. “It’s nice to see the ‘bird’ in green. Congratulations to everyone on the win.”
Kuznetsov also had a point in his first game with the team on Thursday against Avtomobilist Ekaterinburg. He notched the primary assist on an Alexander Zharovsky power-play goal, giving Salavat Yulaev a 4-1 lead 18 seconds into the third period.
“We’ve got a real talent now,” Kozlov said of Kuznetsov said per sports.ru. “He makes his teammates better and gives the other guys confidence.”
“We won—that’s the most important thing,” Kuznetsov added in the locker room after his debut. “The goal was to not screw anything up, to try to fit in and play for the team. We even managed to have a little fun in the third period, which is crucial because you need to enjoy the game.”
Kuznetsov, a 2018 Stanley Cup champion with the Capitals, has been treated like a hero since he joined the team. Salavat Yulaev even set up a photoshoot with a hawk to help promote his bird celly.
Kuznetsov, 33, previously played 15 games for Metallurg Magnitogorsk this season, posting nine points (1g, 8a) in a limited role.
