The Capitals have been known for their goaltending depth. From Braden Holtby and Philipp Grubauer, to the prospects such as Vitek Vanecek, Pheonix Copley and Ilya Samsonov. At the conclusion of practice on Thursday morning, Capitals center Evgeny Kuznetsov decided to give goaltending a try. Borrowing Grubauer’s pads, Kuznetsov got a taste of what it’s like to be a goalie from facing breakaways to 100 mph slap shots. 

Which Caps forward do you think is wearing the goalie gear?
A. @TJOshie77
B. @Kuzya92
C. @tom_wilso
D. @ovi8 pic.twitter.com/s90mhAjLAD

— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) January 4, 2018

Here’s something you don’t see everyday, Grubauer vs. Kuznetsov in reverse. Kuznetsov got the save. I love 2018 already.

Grubauer up against Kuzy in goal. Folks 2018 is fun. pic.twitter.com/7BK5Zo7LqE

— NoVa Caps (@NoVa_Caps) January 4, 2018

Kuznetsov also faced slapshots from the likes of Grubauer, Andre Burakovsky and Dmitry Orlov.

Evgeny Kuznetsov trying out for goalie? pic.twitter.com/1wrE6Uq8gn

— NoVa Caps (@NoVa_Caps) January 4, 2018

Orlov has been known for his hard slapshots and he gave Kuzy no mercy.

Kuznetsov facing slapshots from Dmitry Orlov pic.twitter.com/oNQCbrU97r

— NoVa Caps (@NoVa_Caps) January 4, 2018

Nicklas Backstrom also got in on the breakaway fun.

Kuznetsov taking a breather from all the shots he faced and in all smiles and laughs with Orlov and Grubauer.

More Kuznetsov facing the three headed monster of Burakovsky, Orlov and Grubuaer. I think Grubauer had the most fun firing slapshots instead of facing them for a change.

“The goalies can shoot hard. I wasn’t expecting that,” said Kuznetsov.

Kuznetsov chatting it up with Dmitry Orlov during another breather.

Finally, Kuzy stops Gruby before calling it a day.

What was coach Barry Trotz thinking during all of this? Trotz was cool with it as long as Kuznetsov didn’t get hurt.

Asked Trotz what his reaction was when Kuznetsov came to him and asked to play goalie one day after practice. Trotz: “Why?!” Then told him just to not get hurt. “You let them have fun.”

— Isabelle Khurshudyan (@ikhurshudyan) January 4, 2018

Apparently there was a wager going on between Kuznetsov and Orlov. Kuznetsov won the bet. I guess that’s why Orlov was firing the puck so hard at him during those slapshots.

“We have a challenge and we play for fun. He lose twice so he got to get better,” Kuznetsov told the media.

This isn’t the first time Kuznetsov donned the goalie pads. He used to play goalie as a kid.

“When I was young, I used to play (goalie) a lot so it’s kind of cool. I was like five or six years old,” Kuznetsov explained.

When asked if he’ll be sore tomorrow, Kuznetsov said:

“No I’ll be fine tomorrow because it’s a day off.”

By Michael Marzzacco
Follow @marswaggo

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