Capitals forward Evgeny Kuznetsov stuck his fist out after Brett Connolly’s goal was confirmed in Monday’s 4-1 win over the San Jose Sharks, only to be left hanging. No problem, Kuznetsov thought, and quickly bumped his fists together.
But after Connolly sat down on the bench, Kuznetsov stuck his hand out for another fist-bump. Connolly ignored it again — leading the Russian to slam his fists together a little harder.
“I’m okay with one, but [expletive] the second time,” Kuznetsov said with a laugh.
The sequence perfectly captured Kuznetsov’s personality, usually laid back and easygoing. That hasn’t changed since signing an eight-year, $62.4 million contract in the offseason.
Before the season started, Kuznetsov maintained he understood the expectations of needing to take a step forward following the cash infusion. He’s done that — but has remained comfortable in the process. Kuznetsov leads the Capitals with 30 points (nine goals, 21 assists) and has done it with largely the same formula in past years: relying on his speed and creating chances for his teammates.
His standard formula has been even more effective this season. Kuznetsov didn’t pick up his ninth goal until Jan. 28 last season and had just three goals by the end of November. This season, Kuznetsov scored five goals in November.
“When he’s playing with the puck, he’s feeling it,” Capitals coach Barry Trotz said. “He’s a dangerous player. God, he can do some things.”
“Some things” includes reading situations just right. Last week against the Los Angeles Kings, Kuznetsov beat the defenders down the ice and pulled up from the right circle in front of goaltender Jonathan Quick. Kuznetsov’s sudden stop made the defenders fly by and he rifled the puck into the net.
The play, which was his second goal of the game, was also a rare situation where Kuznetsov didn’t pass. Normally on odd-man rushes, the Capitals’ center looks to find his teammates, which the Russian said is his preference.
“The guys without the puck, they do so many other things, tough things,” Kuznetsov said. “They backcheck, they battle for the puck, that’s kind of… be thankful for him. You give him puck and he’s able to score because he did a lot of tough work.”
Capitals general manager Brian MacLellan told reporters before the season they wanted Kuznetsov to be at the top of the league in points and be able to handle top defensemen on a night-to-night basis.
Through 28 games, Kuznetsov is 12th in points, eight behind Tampa Bay Lightning forward Nikita Kucherov’s 38.
Lately, Kuznetsov has benefited from playing next to T.J. Oshie and Jakub Vrana. In 11 games this season, the line of Vrana-Kuznetsov-Oshie have taken a team-best 63.49 percent of the shot attempts when on the ice against opposing teams. The line has played together on a consistent basis for the past six games, following Trotz reshuffling his lines Nov. 22 to increase production in the top six.
Oshie said Kuznetsov’s skating ability is a talent “he’s never seen.” Maybe some players, Oshie said, have a better handle or are faster, but Kuznetsov has the ability to do both. Trotz praised Kuznetsov’s speed too, saying he has an unusual way of getting faster by taking just two strides.
“It’s like a Russian wiggle,” Trotz said, motioning his body from side-to-side. “But he’s gaining speed. I don’t know how he does it.”
After the Nov. 30 game against the Kings, Trotz said the Capitals needed Kuznetsov to score goals for them. The 25-year-old has never scored more than 20 goals in a season.
Oshie, though, said he encourages Kuznetsov to trust his judgment. That’s not bad advice, given Kuznetsov’s recent results.
“When he’s going like this, he kind of dictates how the game goes,” Oshie said.
• Matthew Paras can be reached at mparas@washingtontimes.com.
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