After last years’ ridiculous breakout performance, expectations for Russian stud Evgeny Kuznetzov are at an all-time high. Through over a quarter of the year, the star has produced well below forecasted, and the struggles have only seemed to snowball.
Dangles and passes that seemed impossible were a regularity for the highly skilled forward, and it helped to create an insanely dominant Capitals offense. He was on the highlight reel seemingly every other game, but this year it’s quite the opposite.Last night, for instance, Kuzy essentially gave up the second goal by himself.
He made an irresponsible play at the blue line, turning the puck over to a speedy David Pastrnak, and getting out hustled after the mistake. What resulted was the second goal for the Bruins, completely changing the direction of the game, giving Boston all the momentum. Now, as a team, the Capitals didn’t play very well and haven’t been up to par over the past few, but a standout disappointment so far has certainly been Kuznetsov.
For a player of his caliber, the lowly 3 goals and 9 assists has got to be incredibly discouraging, as well as frustrating. In games, those issues are becoming apparent, and it should have Caps fans wondering, what gives?
WHAT GIVES?
Is he injured? There have been no reports of Kuzy sustaining any kind of injury, or to be nursing anything existing back to health. Unless he is hiding something from the rest of the world, an injury does not seem to be the culprit.
A World Cup of Hockey hangover? Time’s up. It’s been over 25 games now, which is more than enough time for a player like Kuznetsov to adjust. This isn’t the result of a bigger chunk of ice to play on, or a style of play. It’s bigger, and more worrisome.
Homesick? Please, Kuznetsov has made D.C his home and started a family here. Not a valid excuse any longer.
Overrated? Hardly, and what he did last year was no fluke. It is highly unlikely that the skill and numbers Kuznetsov produced last year were a joke. Although a simple decline in production can be understandable, however falling off the face of the earth is not. The flame is still there, it is just very dim and weak at the moment.
THE STRUGGLE IS REAL
Stats don’t lie either, but they are exactly what they are, numbers. When you actually watch Kuzy closely during games, all of the signs of a struggling player are there. It’s almost sad to see how frustrated 92 gets at times. He’s taking whacks at opposing players during plays, and it showed last night in a scuffle in front of the Caps net. Last year, Kuzy was much more calm and composed, but with his struggles and what surely is dissatisfaction, he simply seems PO’d. It is well-known that sometimes, playing angry can pay off, but for guys that have a different type of game, like Jay Beagle or somebody of his nature. Kuzy’s game should be of poise, exactitude and grace, but right now it certainly is not.
Although his skating abilities are second nature and will never take much of a hit, the string that is attached from his stick to the puck has seemed to come unraveled. Last year it seemed that a magnetic field would keep the puck in his possession, and he could release the puck in a pinch with devastating accuracy. Whether it be a “sick” saucer pass to a linemate, or a deceiving shot that beat the best goalies in the league, the puck always seemed to be in 92’s command. This year it seems that after the first couple touches, the puck seems to get away from him, almost as if the magnetic field has been reversed.
What are your thoughts on Kuznetsov’s struggles?
By Brennan Reidy