Fansided

Kuznetsov leads charge as Capitals take 3-1 series lead: 3 takeaways

By Jeremy Lambert

WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 04: Washington Capitals center Nicklas Backstrom (19), center Evgeny Kuznetsov (92) and left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) converge to congratulate right wing T.J. Oshie (77) after his first period goal against the Vegas Golden Knights on June 4, 2018, at the Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C. in Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. (Photo by Mark Goldman/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 04: Washington Capitals center Nicklas Backstrom (19), center Evgeny Kuznetsov (92) and left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) converge to congratulate right wing T.J. Oshie (77) after his first period goal against the Vegas Golden Knights on June 4, 2018, at the Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C. in Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. (Photo by Mark Goldman/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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WASHINGTON, DC – JUNE 04: The crowd and Evgeny Kuznetsov #92 of the Washington Capitals celebrate after teammate Devante Smith-Pelly #25 (not pictured) scored a goal during the first period of Game Four of the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Final at Capital One Arena on June 4, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Dave Sandford/NHLI via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – JUNE 04: The crowd and Evgeny Kuznetsov #92 of the Washington Capitals celebrate after teammate Devante Smith-Pelly #25 (not pictured) scored a goal during the first period of Game Four of the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Final at Capital One Arena on June 4, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Dave Sandford/NHLI via Getty Images) /

2. Kuznetsov and Co.

The Washington Capitals will always go as Alex Ovechkin goes. He’s the tone-setter for the club. When he’s skating hard, playing disciplined but hard-hitting hockey, and creating scoring opportunities for himself and others, the Capitals are a tough team to spot. His energy and attitude is infectious amongst the Washington players.

Then there’s Tom Wilson, who does the dirty work for the two stars beside him. He goes to the rough areas, takes the hits to make the play, and has a soft enough touch to finish off scoring opportunities.

But it’s Evgeny Kuznetsov who has made a statement to the hockey world with his play in the playoffs. Including his four assists in Game 4, Kuznetsov is up to 31 points in the playoffs. For reference, Evgeni Malkin led all scorers in last year’s playoffs with 28 points.

His pass to set up Wilson for the second goal of the game was a thing of beauty.

The game is looking easy for Kuznetsov right now. He looks two steps ahead of the opposition every time the puck is on his stick. He’s threading the needle and putting the puck in the perfect spot for his teammates.

Any concern that the injury in Game 2 would slow him down was alleviated with his goal and assist in Game 3. In Game 4, he simply reminded Vegas that it’s going to take more than an undisclosed upper-body injury to keep him off the ice. Pain heals. Chicks dig scars. Your name on the Stanley Cup is forever.

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