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Evgeny Kuznetsov Scores Another Goal, Doesn’t Care

Photo credit: Frank Franklin II

Down two goals to the New York Rangers at the tail end of the second period on Saturday, the Capitals were on a desperate search for points on the scoreboard. With 6:01 left in the frame, Evgeny Kuznetsov pulled a goal out of thin air, as he has so many times during these playoffs. Kuznetsov’s surprising and alert goal put the Caps within one, almost leading to a stunning comeback. Despite a late-game flourish, Washington lost. Tied for the Capitals team lead in playoff goals with Alex Ovechkin, Kuznetsov was once again superb. Nevertheless, the result was not good enough for him.

“Today I score, but next game another guy score,” Kuznetsov told me. “Who cares right now who score today? We lose the game.”

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By Chris Gordon 8 years ago

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Tanner Glass Learns Why He Shouldn’t Spear Braden Holtby in the Throat (GIF)

During game one, New York Rangers’ pest Tanner Glass tried to rattle Braden Holtby by spearing him in the neck. At that point, the Holtbeast had shut out the Rangers through 46 minutes and, for Glass, desperation was setting in.

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By Ian Oland 8 years ago

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Jason Chimera Calls Evgeny Kuznetsov “Harry Potter” During Sportsnet Intermission Interview (Video)

Photoshop by me

A few days ago, The Washington Post revealed that one of Evgeny Kuznetsov’s nicknames inside the Caps locker room is Harry Potter. Michael Latta and Tom Wilson came up with the nickname, comparing Kuznetsov’s hockey stick to a magic wand.

During the second intermission, Jason Chimera was interviewed by Sportsnet and was asked about the skill set of his young, superstar teammate.

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By Ian Oland 8 years ago

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Alex Ovechkin Scores Amazing Goal on Henrik Lundqvist While Falling Down (GIF)

He scored while falling like this. Really.

Holy hell. In game two, Alex Ovechkin scored one of the greatest goals of his career. Skating into the New York Rangers’ zone, Ovechkin skates through two defenders. Then as he’s falling down to the ice, the Russian machine rips a shot to the top left corner past future Hall of Fame goaltender Henrik Lundqvist.

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By Ian Oland 8 years ago

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Sunk by a Slow Start: Rangers beat Caps 3-2

Photo: Chris Gordon

The thing about hockey games, or at least one of the things about hockey games, is that they are at least sixty minutes long. If your team only plays well for– let’s say– the back forty of that hour, you’re gonna have a bad time. The Washington Capitals had a bad time on Saturday.

Chris Kreider scored in the game’s first minute, exploiting some uninvolved Capitals defense. Dan Boyle’s power-play marker made it 2-0 before the first intermission, and things looked grim.

Evgeny Kuznetsov extended his stupid-good postseason with a nifty rebound goal in the second period.

The Caps failed to convert their first power play in the third, and then Derick Brassard made it 3-1. Alex Ovechkin narrowed the gap by taking on two Rangers and scoring from his knees. The Caps made a lot of noise in the final 90 ticks, but couldn’t score.

Rangers beat Caps 3-2. The series is tied 1-1.

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By Peter Hassett 8 years ago

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Evgeny Kuznetsov Loses Face-off, Scores Anyway (GIF)

The Capitals are clawing their way out of a two-goal, and it’s Evgeny Kuznetsov who is digging deepest. After getting denied on a wild chance a few minutes earlier, Kuzy hit the back of the net six minutes into the second period.

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By Ian Oland 8 years ago

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The Best and Worst Things in the First Period of Game Two (GIFs)

Ward smiling after Derek Stepan tries punching him.

The Washington Capitals won game one at Madison Square Garden in surprisingly easy fashion– though it took a last-second goal to win. The first twenty minutes of game two have been way different.

But I’m an optimist, so let’s focus on the awesome things that happened in the first period first.

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By Ian Oland 8 years ago

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Caps at Rangers Pregame: The Nooner

I chose this picture of Crosby at Worlds for the top image of this pregame story because I’m a jerk.

Good morning, Caps fans. It’s a beautiful and busy day on the east coast. In just a few hours the Caps and Rangers will be facing off in game two of their best-of-seven series, which started on Thursday about as good as anything can start.

Go make some breakfast, do some chores, maybe get some free comic books. Do it all now because we’ve got a nooner coming. 12:30 on NBC. Caps lead the series 1-0.

Team	Record	Possession	PDO	Power Play	Penalty Kill
Washington Capitals	45-26-11	51.9%	100.3	25.3%	81.2%
New York Rangers	53-22-7	50.6%	101.7	16.8%	84.3%

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By Peter Hassett 8 years ago

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