Ovechkin Teases Former Teammate in NHL Match and Helps Beat Carolina

The Washington Capitals started their four-game road trip poorly by losing to Pittsburgh and Tampa. Currently second to last in the Metropolitan Division and 14th in the Eastern Conference, Spencer Carbery’s team faced the Carolina Hurricanes in their next game. Ovechkin and his teammates played against the Hurricanes for the first time since their loss in the previous Stanley Cup playoffs. The focus was on Ovechkin and Andrei Svechnikov’s duel, which gained excitement after Ovechkin knocked out the fellow Russian in 2019.
However, there was one game where their competition took a backseat. Evgeny Kuznetsov, who recently switched from Washington to Carolina, made his debut on Washington’s ice as a non-capital player. Kuznetsov, the Russian centerman, had something to prove to head coach Spencer Carbery and the fans, expecting a showdown with Ovechkin. Ovechkin was the first to make a move, greeting his fellow countryman at the start of the game by tripping him playfully. Fans loved it and cheered approvingly, while Kuznetsov smiled and returned to the bench. The arena screens played videos of Kuznetsov’s goals and assists in his Capitals jersey.
Kuznetsov did not respond on the ice, while Ovechkin equalized for Washington with a goal in the 34th minute. The game ended in a 6-6 tie, leading to overtime and a shootout. Carolina’s head coach gave Kuznetsov the chance to score against his former club’s goalie, but the attempt was blocked. Ovechkin also missed his shootout attempt, yet the Capitals won 7-6 thanks to Dylan Strome.