Kuznetsov Named Captain For SKA Preseason Game, Transition To KHL Going Well As He Pulls Off 'Kuzy Crawl' Twice In One Game

Former Washington Capitals forward Evgeny Kuznetsov took a major step in a new direction as he chose to return home to Russia to play in the KHL after an 11-year NHL career, and his next chapter has started off strong as he's taken on a bigger role for SKA St. Petersburg.

In a friendly game against Sochi as part of the Nikolai Puchkov Tournament in the preseason, Kuznetsov wore the "C" and scored in the shootout not once, but twice, with his signature "Kuzy Crawl" move to help SKA to a 2-1 victory.

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Kuznetsov explained that he was filling in for defenseman and captain Alexander Nikishin out of the lineup, which is why he was given the captaincy for the night.

"It's more to make me better understand what responsibility I have," Kuznetsov said of getting to be the captain. "I'm thankful for the trust. Hopefully, Nikishin will be back soon and everything will go back to normal."

Kuznetsov showcased his classic "Kuzy Crawl" shootout move to help lift SKA to a 2-1 win. St. Petersburg managed 66 shot attempts in what marked Kuznetsov's first game against another KHL team.

"It was a strange game," Kuznetsov said, adding, "When you attack so much, the opponent always has a chance to catch you on the counterattack."

Related: Kuznetsov Opens Up About Health Problems With Capitals & Why He Entered Player Assistance Program: 'I'd Been Suffering All Year'

Kuznetsov signed a four-year deal with SKA after terminating his NHL contract with the Carolina Hurricanes. He'd originally signed that deal with D.C., but had been traded to Carolina this past March after a rough few final years with the Capitals.

The KHL season officially begins on Sept. 3 with the Opening Cup.

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