Two days after the Washington Capitals‘ 4-3 loss in Game 7 of their First Series against the Carolina Hurricanes in the 2019 Stanley Cup Playoffs on Wednesday, center Evgeny Kuznetsov spoke to the media for one final time of 2018-19 during the team’s breakdown day.

“You can actually learn a lot of good things for yourself when it’s actually bad happens. From bad games, you can learn a lot of stuff. When everything is going your way, everyone is so happy that for me means you’re not growing.,” Kuznetsov said.

Despite the disappointment that comes along with an exit in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, he said that it can be a good thing because “When things are going well and you’re winning, it’s tough to grow and get better as a player. When you don’t play well but you still win, you think your teammates will have your back. I personally like to learn from negative stuff.”

After leading the NHL with 32 points in the 2018 Stanley Cup Playoffs, the 26-year old posted 21 goals and 72 points in what some will say was a down year for him. Kuznetsov said, “Like a player, you want to play better every game of course.”  

Despite the down year for Kuznetsov and the early exit in the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the team, he was still optimistic that next season will be a lot better for both parties. He said, “I feel like every year, hockey is changing so I want to get better over the summer.”

By Harrison Brown