Photo: Chris Gordon
We’ve been waiting for this since June of 2010. That’s when the Washington Capitals drafted Evgeny Kuznetsov in the first round of the draft. George McPhee winked and we knew it was all good.
Then almost four years went by. But now we’re here. Kuzya has suited up for this first ever NHL game– a homer against Metro rivals the Pittsburgh Penguins. Thanks to the hard work of Hana Imiolczyk, we’ll have all your GIF-y updates right here.
The Arrival
Kuznetsov arrived at Verizon Center with Alex Ovechkin pic.twitter.com/KMB4ymPVOf
— Ian Oland (@ianoland) March 10, 2014
The Game Night Roster
Here you go #Caps fans…this is the day you've been waiting four years for! #HappyKuzyaDay pic.twitter.com/4tm6kAgStC
— Sky Kerstein (@SkyKersteinSJSU) March 10, 2014
Kuznetsov Puts On His Pads For The First Time
Warm-Ups
Photos: Chris Gordon
.@Kuzya92 #CapsPens pic.twitter.com/d4avkEAzWW
— Washington Capitals (@washcaps) March 11, 2014
First Period
Photo: Melissa A.
Early in the first period, Kuzya was announced to the crowd by Wes Johnson.
Crosby and Kuznetsov converge.
Ovechkin gives Kuznetsov advice on the bench.
Kuznetsov got five shifts in the first period, 4:09 of ice time. He took one shift at the end of the period with the Caps’ first line.
If you had "19 minutes in" on your bingo card, Kuznetsov is on the top line.
— RMNB (@rmnb) March 10, 2014
Second Period
While getting power play time on the Caps second unit, Kuznetsov records his first NHL shot.
Of course these two are sitting on the bench beside each other pic.twitter.com/TfvL60jEoR
— Ian Oland (@ianoland) March 11, 2014
Al Koken asked about Kuzya when he conducted his second period interview with Dour Blaine.
What have been your impressions of Evgeny Kuznetsov so far?
Blaine Forsythe: You can tell he’s got some talent. Obviously, he’s feeling it out a little bit, but he’ll get better and better. We’re happy to have him.
— Ian Oland (@ianoland) March 11, 2014
Karl Alzner gives Kuznetsov a shove-of-love on the bench after Brooks Laich’s power play goal. Dmitry Orlov laughs.
Kuznetsov records his second shot of the night, after curling towards the middle of the ice while taking a shift with Nicky and Ovi.
In the second period, Kuznetsov had five shifts, and 4:23 of ice time. He had one shift on the team’s second power play unit and skated with the first line once again. He also tallied his second shot on goal and also blocked one shot.
In his 7.4 minutes on the ice total so far, Kuznetsov has driven 71.4% of shot attempts towards the Penguins net (even strength only). Halak has had to make only one save while Kuzya is skating– a stat shared by the fourth line alone.
Third Period
With the Caps down a goal to the Penguins, Kuznetsov only saw two shifts in the third period. He finished the game with two shots and 10:22 of ice time.
