Photo: NBC Sports Washington
Washington Capitals center Evgeny Kuznetsov posted two goals and four points for Team Russia’s 3-1 win over Team Czech Republic at the 2019 Euro Hockey Tour on Sunday, a tuneup for the World Championship.
The Russian center recorded the secondary assist on Minnesota Wild prospect Kirill Kaprizov’s opening goal of the game.
#MNWild prospect Kirill Kaprizov scores a great goal in EHT game against Czech Republic. Assisted by Ovechkin and Kuznetsov. pic.twitter.com/9AmQJGvTaA
— Jokke Nevalainen (@JokkeNevalainen) May 5, 2019
Kuznetsov scored the game-winning goal on a breakaway with 12:06 left in the second period, opening up the five-hole of Czech goaltender Jakub Skarek after deking on his way in.
Kuznetsov with a beautiful finish to a breakaway. pic.twitter.com/3jwdhnAgv3
— Jokke Nevalainen (@JokkeNevalainen) May 5, 2019
The 26-year old found Capitals teammate, defenseman Dmitry Orlov, all alone in front of the net with a no-look, rink-wide pass with five Czech sticks in the way to make it 3-1 after entering the offensive zone.
Kuznetsov is taking over the game. Look at this pass he makes to Orlov. Russia leads 3-1 and Kuznetsov has 3 points. pic.twitter.com/73cl83EajB
— Jokke Nevalainen (@JokkeNevalainen) May 5, 2019
He had another golden opportunity to score on a breakaway after getting sprung in the offensive zone but was thwarted by Skarek.
Kuznetsov also showed how to receive passes from KHL players like Kaprizov. pic.twitter.com/4J7pQl2R3I
— Jokke Nevalainen (@JokkeNevalainen) May 5, 2019
Kuznetsov notched his fourth point of the night skating all alone with an empty net yawning to make it 4-1.
Kuznetsov scores his 2nd goal of the game into an empty net. 4 points for him today.
A great defensive play by Ovechkin. This line of Ovechkin-Kuznetsov-Kaprizov was great today, I hope they stay together for the Worlds. pic.twitter.com/BlpiYqy0gE
— Jokke Nevalainen (@JokkeNevalainen) May 5, 2019
By Harrison Brown
Worlds doesn’t start until the 10th? These games are NOT IIHF Worlds?
It’s the Euro Hockey Tour???
This is the Euro Hockey Tour.
Tuneup for Worlds, which start in Brno on 5/10.
Which still makes it NOT WORLDS it’s still a different tournament entirely.