Kuznetsov : 21st player in NHL history to reach 30 points

[Ainec]

Here are the #s in the ECF against Tampa
- lead both teams in shots (33)
- lead both teams in goals with Ovi (4)
- lead both teams in points (10)
- lead both teams in icetime amongst forwards (20)
- lead both teams in +/-
- double corsi +/- amongst linemates
- lead teams in bird celly

In these playoffs (4 series)
- leads the playoffs in Game Score
- leads the playoffs in Corsi (forwards)
- leads the playoffs in Goals For
- leads the playoffs in point/60 after 1st round
- leads Capitals in Corsi +/-
- leads Capitals in Rel GF%
- leads Capitals forwards in GF%
- leads Capitals forwards in xGF
... he's leading in all major advanced stat category

12 goals 19 assists 31 points in 23 games whilst missing the majority of one with an apparent injury

Click to read more...

 

[Bgav]

he's always been a big time performer since his world junior days. Awesome player

 

[bobholly39]

Here are the #s in the ECF
- lead both teams in shots (33)
- lead both teams in goals with Ovi (4)
- lead both teams in points (10)
- lead both teams in icetime amongst forwards (20)
- lead both teams in +/-
- double corsi +/- amongst linemates
- lead teams in bird celly

I feel vindicated after all these years. Phenomenal playoffs by him and Ovi.

Strictly by #s they are top 3 in MVP with Fleury and it's not remotely close.

Holtby could have a say in MVP as well tbh. Mostly because there's a lot of narrative there:

1. He lost his #1 job (and after Price he arguably had the most stable #1 job in the league going into the NHL this year). Didn't start playoffs. But got brought in when 0-2 and somehow helped Caps stage an improbable comeback winning 4 straight against CBJ to win 4-2.

2. Against Tampa, Washington goes up 2-0, seems like a shoe-in....till Tampa wins 3 straight. People are writing off Washington as done...and then he gets back to back shutouts.

3. (tbd). Fleury is arguably having a top 1-3 goalie performance of ALL-TIME through 3 rounds of hockey. Very in-line with Giguere in 2003, and other great performances. Without actually ranking Fleury's performance, suffice it to say it's pretty great. If holtby can somehow come into the finals and clearly out-goalie him - that would be a big story too.

So I think Holtby could definitely have some strong storyline reasons too to be in contention.

Sorry for the slight off-topic tangent lol. I agree that Kuz has been spectacular, and particularly in the ECF which is amazing considering playoffs usually get harder as u go up in rounds.

 

[Whale Mingo]

I'd like to be around when he explains that absurd celebration to his kids. THAT'S gonna be embarrassing.

Otherwise, yea, the guy is a performer and I don't think anyone has been questioning that. If they have they haven't been paying attention.

 

[Whale Mingo]

Oh, and there are only two available options for Conn Smythe winners, Ovie and MAF.

 

[Revelation]

Holtby could have a say in MVP as well tbh. Mostly because there's a lot of narrative there:

1. He lost his #1 job (and after Price he arguably had the most stable #1 job in the league going into the NHL this year). Didn't start playoffs. But got brought in when 0-2 and somehow helped Caps stage an improbable comeback winning 4 straight against CBJ to win 4-2.

2. Against Tampa, Washington goes up 2-0, seems like a shoe-in....till Tampa wins 3 straight. People are writing off Washington as done...and then he gets back to back shutouts.

3. (tbd). Fleury is arguably having a top 1-3 goalie performance of ALL-TIME through 3 rounds of hockey. Very in-line with Giguere in 2003, and other great performances. Without actually ranking Fleury's performance, suffice it to say it's pretty great. If holtby can somehow come into the finals and clearly out-goalie him - that would be a big story too.

So I think Holtby could definitely have some strong storyline reasons too to be in contention.

Sorry for the slight off-topic tangent lol. I agree that Kuz has been spectacular, and particularly in the ECF which is amazing considering playoffs usually get harder as u go up in rounds.

Holtby's been doing what basically every good goalie having a good playoffs does. He's not been Giguere or Fleury level, just getting the job done. If you look at the back to back shutout games bolts had tons of yawning nets where they couldn't get their stick on the puck (such as Gourde's miss) or the defense getting to it first rather than Holtby just flat out stonewalling them.

People think every competent goalie who holds the fort to the Stanley Cup is Conn Smythe level lol. Holtby's been excellent but 8 and 92 have been better.

 

[CanadianPensFan1]

"I feel vindicated that the thing that has been wrong for years has finally turned around."

Even meteorologists have a better record than that so I'm not certain this is the hill you want to die on.

 

[discobob]

Kuzy's been amazing.

If Caps win, OV's gonna get the Con Smyth based on over coming adversity and similar stats.

If Vegas wins, can't see anyone other than MAF for Smyth.

 

[Carlzner]

I'd like to be around when he explains that absurd celebration to his kids. THAT'S gonna be embarrassing.

The main reason he does it is because his daughter loves it.

 

[Whale Mingo]

The main reason he does it is because his daughter loves it.

She'll grow up one day. Those clips will exist forever.

 

[Carlzner]

She'll grow up one day. Those clips will exist forever.

Father trying to make his daughter happy under the national spotlight vs. going against the ideals of some old Canadian guys who actually care about this kind of stuff.

Yeah, it'll be a tough one for the young Kuznetsov to morally accept for sure.

 

[discobob]

She'll grow up one day. Those clips will exist forever.

Very true mister Whale Mingo

"Daddy, why does your user name sound like Whale Penis?"

 

[Whale Mingo]

Very true mister Whale Mingo

"Daddy, does your user name sound like Whale Penis?"

Truth be told, it's a fictional character from a cartoon my granddaughter likes. Yes, I understand what it means to make your kids/grandkids happy.

Good for Kuznetzov if it makes his daughter happy, still ridiculous.

 

[Khomutov]

Greatest russian talent since Malkin/Ovie

 

[Tuna Tatarrrrrr]

She'll grow up one day. Those clips will exist forever.

Haters gonna hate.

 

[discobob]

Truth be told, it's a fictional character from a cartoon my granddaughter likes. Yes, I understand what it means to make your kids/grandkids happy.

Good for Kuznetzov if it makes his daughter happy, still ridiculous.

I agree, it's funny looking, but he's such a clown... It fits

 

[JESSEWENEEDTOCOOK]

probably my favorite player to watch right now

he’s magic

 

[PuckSeparator]

Haters gonna hate.

Great player, but he looks like a dumbass and I cringe everytime he scores.

 

[Firsov99]

Pretty much the only knock on him is the face-offs. Otherwise, he has been fantastic.

 

[Firsov99]

Great player, but he looks like a dumbass and I cringe everytime he scores.

Only a very confident person could do something like this in front of a big crowd. He is just having some fun, so cut him some slack, please.

 

[Tuna Tatarrrrrr]

Great player, but he looks like a dumbass and I cringe everytime he scores.

I admit the first time I saw his celebration, I wondered why he did it because I thought it was ridiculous too but when I knew it was for his daughter, I didn't have a problem with it anymore. But hating Kuznetsov only because his celly is really ridiculous too.

 

[Ainec]

Holtby's been doing what basically every good goalie having a good playoffs does. He's not been Giguere or Fleury level, just getting the job done. If you look at the back to back shutout games bolts had tons of yawning nets where they couldn't get their stick on the puck (such as Gourde's miss) or the defense getting to it first rather than Holtby just flat out stonewalling them.

People think every competent goalie who holds the fort to the Stanley Cup is Conn Smythe level lol. Holtby's been excellent but 8 and 92 have been better.

this

 

[olli]

Greatest russian talent since Malkin/Ovie

How is he more talented than Kucherov, Panarin or Tarasenko?

 

[Stan Galiev]

I'd like to be around when he explains that absurd celebration to his kids. THAT'S gonna be embarrassing.

Otherwise, yea, the guy is a performer and I don't think anyone has been questioning that. If they have they haven't been paying attention.

He actually does the Bird celebration because his daughter likes it. I think it’s fun.

 

[illpucks]

Kuznetsov has peaked higher than this.

But his celly is the best it's ever been.