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Evgeny Kuznetsov’s Best Game as Capital, Scores Goal, Assist While Anchoring Second Line

Photo: Rob Carr

Washington Capitals rookie Evgeny Kuznetsov has struggled in both adjusting to the North American game and learning the center position. To hide his deficiencies, head coach Barry Trotz has limited Kuznetsov’s ice time, banishing him to the fourth line, and even scratching him for one game (which, let’s be honest, was painful to watch).

However, with Andre Burakovsky becoming strangely mortal lately, Trotz gave Kuznetsov a promotion to the second line against the Islanders.

Kuzya delivered in a big way.

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By Ian Oland 8 years ago

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Bailamos is Back! Caps beat Isles 5-2!

“Red rover, Red rover, send Niskanen over!” (Photo: Rob Carr)

The Washington Capitals looked terrible for the first ten minutes of their home game against the New York Islanders, and no, I won’t blame the turkey. But instead of a lackluster affair, the Caps woke up and played a competitive game against one of the league’s best– a reward for the 18 thousand fans in attendance and the return of my personal Caps anthem below the jump.

The Capitals’ second power-play unit took the ice in the first period thirty seconds before Matt Niskanen unloaded his cannon through traffic to make it 1-0. A glorious snap shot from Marcus Johansson gave the Caps their first 5v5 goal in forever and made it 2-0, but hold on a sec. In the next 66 seconds, the Capitals’ bottom six allowed two goals– one from John Tavares and one from Anders Lee, to neutralize the two-goal lead before the first intermission.

Tom Wilson absorbed a bunch of Isles defenders to open up a seam for Alex Ovechkin to score halfway through the second period.

In the third, Evgeny Kuznetsov feasted upon his second-line spot, scoring at the tail-end of an offensive-zone shift, sliding into the high slot and ripping the puck top shelf. Joel Ward got the empty-netter and there was much rejoicing.

Caps beat Isles 5-2! Bailamos!

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By Peter Hassett 8 years ago

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Alex Ovechkin Scores 12th Goal of Season, Fan Who Traveled From Singapore Loses Mind (GIF)

Photo: Monumental Network

After the Caps surrendered a 2-0 lead to the Islanders (in their usual meek, right-after-they-score-a-goal fashion), Alex Ovechkin wrestled the lead back in the second period with a simple flick of the wrist. That’s what captains do. This time, it made one particular fan in the stands very happy.

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By Ian Oland 8 years ago

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According to your boy Adam Vingan, the Caps had gone nearly 150 minutes without a goal during 5v5. Marcus Johansson ended that with the kind of goal that gets adjectives like “disgusting” and “gorgeous” in equal amounts.

On the rush, Johansson faced NYI’s Brian Strait as he entered the zone. Johansson did a slight toe pick move before he shot just wide of Strait. The puck found the top corner behind Chad Johnson, putting the Caps up 2-0.

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By Peter Hassett 8 years ago

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Caps vs Islanders Pregame: Okay, Now Someone OTHER Than Ovi Score Some Goals

Photo: Kathy Kmonicek

For the most part, the Caps held their own at Nassau on Wednesday. Now, back home in the sub-.500 confines of Verizon Center, the Capitals face the New York Islanders again.

I’d be totally fine with another loser point, but the full two would feel even better for my turkey hangover.

It’s an early one, 5 PM on CSN, so get your shopping done now. I just did sold my soul and first born to Amazon.com, so I’m like 85% done my Christmas shopping already.