It’s probably too soon to evaluate Kuzy’s time in DC. I think he’s been both a fantastic player, and something of a disappointment. We had some fantastic moments, and a couple of great seasons but I also think the last 3-4 years have been pretty underwhelming.
That said. We’ll always have Game 6 Vs Pittsburgh. We’ll always have that goal against the Islanders in Game 7; a goal that gave an entire fanbase a hope that maybe this era could be different. Bird Celly’s, Slow-mo shootouts and “Not My First Rodeo’s”.
Thanks for the memories Kuzy. I hope you figure some things out and find a way to be happy in whatever comes next.
Most re-watched clip in Caps history and I still tear up every time.
That Islanders goal always struck me for the patience he showed in that moment. We were at that game, and it seemed like a few minutes passed between him getting the puck and shooting it, but he was waiting for the goaltender to make his move. So many players don’t have the patience he does in those moments.
When I was watching it I was just thrilled for the goal and the win, but it wasn’t until a couple years later that I realized how special that goal really was. He pulls off the boards and cuts right through the middle in spite the defense being set up there. You don’t see that happen very often because it’s not supposed to work.
I think that’s Kuzy at his electrifying best. He waited and waited and then waited some more before he released the puck and when he finally did the goalie had no chance. Absolutely incredible moment, especially for a fanbase that had become all too used to seeing the team collapse in those moments.
In some ways he reminds me of Semin - different type of player, of course, but when Semin was on his game, he was amazing. I remember one play where Semin just kind of looked around for a moment, then suddenly fired it into the cage. Joe B described it as a laser beam. Unfortunately Semin, like recent Kuzy, seemed to lose focus quite a bit. Odd they’d both go to Carolina.
Semin was my favourite player of the early Ovi era. That shot and the ability to find the corner blew me away as an new fan. Real shame how quick his career fell off. That Montréal series seemed (in hindsight) to kind of signal the end.
That Montreal series exposed several weaknesses in the Caps game. Usually defense was their weakness in that era, but Montreal found a few other issues to exploit, and Halak was on fire too.
You can say what you want about Eller, this was biggest goal in our history, no question in my mind.
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