Evgeny Kuznetsov (Photo by Cheryl Nichols/District Sports Page)
FIRST CAP OTHER THAN OVI FOR WEEKLY AWARD SINCE 2011
After a marvelous three game effort in Canada this week, Evgeny Kuznetsov was bestowed the NHL’s “first star” award. Racking up 3 goals and 6 assists for a total of nine points. With those numbers there may of been a small uproar had Kuznetsov not received the award.
The first points came against the Calgary Flames Tuesday night when Kuznetsov played set up man to 3 goals in the Caps 6-2 win. He followed that performance with the game winning assist to Alex Ovechkin on Friday in the 3-2 victory over the Canucks. Kuznetsov capped his road trip with his first NHL hat trick on Saturday night scoring in prodigious fashion and adding on 2 assists for a five point achievement that lifted the Caps to a 7-4 win vs the Oilers.
While on the road Kuznetsov matched his personal NHL record for assists in a single game and set a new standard of goals in a single game. With his nine points gained on the road trip he now sits atop the Caps in total points and tied for second in the league at eleven total.
Kuznetsov is the first Cap not named Ovechkin to be named first star of the week since March 24th 2011 when that honor went to goalie Braden Holtby. The last Cap to be named to any star outside Ovechkin was Jason Chimera in November of 2013. Lets hope that Kuznetsov’s star continues to shine bright.
About Jacqueline Martin