As the Washington Capitals came off the ice from morning skate Monday at Kettler Capitals Iceplex, select players were sitting at their lockers ready to talk to the media. During the Evgeny Kuznetsov scrum, he was his usual funny and positive self ahead of a critical “do or die” Game 6. 

Kuznetsov has had a good postseason, leading the Capitals with 22 points (11 goals, 11 assists). During Game 1 of the Capitals previous round against the Penguins, Kuznetsov had a goal 17 seconds into the contest. During Game 5 of this series, the Capitals fell behind 19 seconds into the game. Kuznetsov knows about the importance of fast starts.

“We knew one day it was going to happen where you have to deal with that because we start many games where we score first and we know how when you score on the first shift we gain momentum but overall we have to respond so good thing we have a game tonight,” said Kuznetsov.

Kuznetsov isn’t nervous about the fact the Capitals are on the brink of elimination. In fact, he’s just thrilled about the opportunity in front of him.

“We didn’t change anything. Same schedule,” Kuznetsov said. “Same positive faces everyday. Like I said it’s just an exciting time. You wait for those type of games.”

Kuznetsov was then asked what the biggest thing he thinks that he has to change vs. Tampa Bay tonight.

“I don’t know. Maybe change my gum from mint to bubble, you know? Yeah dumb question, dumb answer,” said Kuznetsov.

REPORTER: What is the biggest thing you think you have to change vs. Tampa Bay tonight? (Game 6)

EVGENY KUZNETSOV: "Maybe change my gum from mint to bubble, you know!? Yeah… dumb question, dumb answer." 😂 pic.twitter.com/39gVPEAbdy

— Robert Söderlind (@HockeyWebCast) May 21, 2018

Never change Kuzy, never change.

By Michael Marzzacco
Follow @marswaggo

Game 6. #LetsGoCaps #RockTheRed #Capitals (📸 @drosennhl)

A post shared by NoVa Caps (@nova_caps) on May 21, 2018 at 8:21am PDT