Kuznetsov On Robbing Ovechkin Of Milestone Goal: ‘It Was Very Close’

Alex Ovechkin was just one shot away from his 767th career goal, and after a shot of the office on the power play dribbled past Thatcher Demko with the help of Evgeny Kuznetsov, he thought he had it. In fact, so did his teammates, as they came together for a group hug as Kuznetsov secured the puck.

However, video review would confirm that the goal belonged to Kuznetsov, who just poked the trickling puck over the goal line to make it 2-0 for Washington. Ovechkin would get the primary assist, and the milestone goal would again have to wait after another frustrating break.

“You know, be honest with you I thought maybe that was his goal so I wasn’t sure if I score or him,” Kuznetsov told NBC Sports Washington during the intermission. “Basically no it was very close. It was unfortunate, that was my goal. So we’ll wait.”

43 seconds later, Kuznetsov finds the back of the net once again for his second goal of the game 🙌 pic.twitter.com/2huABEMP1L

— NBC Sports Capitals (@NBCSCapitals) March 12, 2022

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After the play, Ovechkin could be seen on the bench saying “that’s okay” when the goal was given to Kuznetsov.

Ovechkin’s next goal will move him past Jaromir Jagr for sole possession of third on the NHL’s all-time goals list. He tied Jagr at 766 with two tallies against the Calgary Flames just three nights prior. The Capitals captain had eight shots against the Edmonton Oilers on Wednesday but couldn’t find twine for that milestone tally, which he is still hunting for. Ovechkin has 36 goals and 71 points so far in 2021-22. He currently ranks fourth in goals.

The goal was a milestone for Kuznetsov, though; his second tally of the game moved him into a tie with Calle Johansson for the 10th-most points in franchise history (474). Kuznetsov is on a five-game point streak and is up to 18 goals and 38 assists this season.