Connect with us

Capitals Takes

Oshie Explains How Strome Is Similar To Kuznetsov With Capitals

Published

on

Washington Capitals Dylan Strome

ARLINGTON, V.A. — As the Washington Capitals practiced 3-on-3 hockey on their fifth day of training camp on Tuesday, T.J. Oshie found himself going up against Dylan Strome. And there, he couldn’t help but notice striking similarities to another Washington star.

With the Capitals facing questions with Nicklas Backstrom out long-term following hip resurfacing surgery, Strome is looking to stand out and show that he can be an ex-factor down the middle. And on Tuesday, he showed he can bring a lot to the table down the middle and also on the power play, where he took Backstrom’s spot on the top unit.

Backstrom Opens Up About Surgery, Optimistic He Can Return To Capitals

Watching Strome slot-in, Oshie pointed out how he can, at times, look a lot like Evgeny Kuznetsov.

“You saw a little bit more of what he’s able to do when we got here in the 4-on-4 and then the 3-on-3; he’s got a pretty good first one or two steps or on or two crossovers where it’s deceiving, almost,” Oshie explained. “I don’t want to say just like Kuzy, but similar to Kuzy. Where you think he’s not really trying to break through you and all of the sudden he’s going by you. So I was on the wrong end of those out there. Thanks, Stromer, for that.”

READ MORE ON WHN: Washington Capitals Change Lines, Promote Iorio At Training Camp

On Tuesday, Strome centered the third line with Anthony Mantha and Aliaksei Protas on the wings. He also skated on the first power play with Oshie, Kuznetsov, Alex Ovechkin and John Carlson.

“Strome there [is] going to give us a different look automatically. Any time you throw someone else in there, they think a little bit different, and their position is a little bit different,” Oshie said of the main advantage, adding, “Im sure there’s going to be some different things. For the most part, our system is set and you can move people in and out. A lot of it depends on how they’re going to cover Ovi like it is every night.”