Evgeny Kuznetsov on his big night: We stopped thinking about the corsi and played fun hockey – Russian Machine Never Breaks

After falling back 2-0 to the Islanders in the very first duration, Kuzy rallied the group a number of minutes into the second, skating around the Isles defense and beating Semyon Varlamov to the far corner of the web. The objective opened the metaphorical flood gates for the Capitals as they let loose a gush of shots. Washington would score two times more– both goals were from captain Alex Ovechkin– and win 3-2. Game Five will be essential and used Thursday.

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” Kuzy goal was substantial for us,” Ovechkin stated to the media afterward.

Kuzy ended up the night with a 60.6 shot-attempts portion at 5v5 (20-13) and skated a Capitals team-high 22:42 for forwards. Kuzy was so excellent that he was double-shifted by Capitals head coach Todd Reirden throughout and was even charged with closing out the game in the final minute.

After having a hard time the majority of the series at five-on-five, the Capitals blanketed the Islanders in shot attempts at even strength (48-27) according to Natural Stat Trick.

Evgeny Kuznetsov took a razor to his head and the majority of his beard and was a totally various gamer during Game 4 of the Capitals first-round series versus the New York Islanders, Tuesday.

Alex Ovechkin and Evgeny Kuznetsov talk with the media after a 3-2 win in Game 4 against the New York Islanders pic.twitter.com/eAWi4sVaZS
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) August 19, 2020

So what was the distinction?

” I think we simply stop considering the corsi or whatever that stat (is) and try to play enjoyable hockey,” Kuznetsov stated, concealing his bald head under a ball cap. “We try to hang on to the puck. Thats how we constantly play.

Kuznetsovs thought procedure appears to be that because the Capitals kept the puck for much better looks, it enabled them to increase their ownership and be more harmful overall. And, at least in this game, it enabled them to have more shot efforts.

” I believe, maybe I do not comprehend the hockey, however I believe thats how we expected to play,” Kuzy continued. “Its not about the thousand shots. Its about the belongings. Its about wearing them down. Its about enjoying it and having the fun. Thats how we take pleasure in the game. , if we enjoy the video game like that were going to have success.. If were not delighting in the video game, were not going to have success.”

” We stopped shooting the puck and we began holding onto the puck,” Kuznetsov said. Thats possibly not the NHL normal hockey, however thats how we expected to play. If we going to play like that, were going to have happiness, were going to have enjoyable, and were going to have success.”

Enjoyable Hockey is the chicken, and Corsi is the egg
— Redcoatdad24 (@toddrpollock) August 19, 2020

Complete RMNB Coverage of WSH/NYI Game Four

Screenshot courtesy of NBC Sports Washington

Kuzy was so good that he was double-shifted by Capitals head coach Todd Reirden throughout and was even tasked with closing out the game in the last minute. Thats how we enjoy the video game. If we delight in the video game like that were going to have success. If were not delighting in the video game, were not going to have success.”

Game Five will be essential and played on Thursday.