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Kuznetsov’s OT winner, Holtby’s strong work combine for Caps win

Tonight’s first 3-on-3 OT session only had so much time to sell skeptics on the 2016 NHL All-Star Game’s bold format change.

The reason is simple: Evgeny Kuznetsov only needed 45 seconds of extra time to score a dazzling 2-1 OT winner for the Washington Capitals against the Detroit Red Wings.

That wait wasn’t long ... but another wait continues.

Alex Ovechkin didn’t score a goal in this one, so he remains tied with Sergei Fedorov with 483 goals, the most any Russian-born player has ever managed in the NHL.

Petr Mrazek may be the main reason why Ovechkin’s slumping on the precipice of that milestone. The Capitals star fired 15 shots on goal the last time he faced Detroit with a chance to break the tie, and six failed to beat Detroit’s goalie tonight.

That’s far less frustrating for Ovechkin when the Capitals win, which they did this time around.

As much attention as those Russian forwards generated, Braden Holtby has a legitimate claim as the top player of this game. This stick save serves as his resume in a more visceral way than mentioning his 25 out of 26 saves:

The Capitals begin a five-game homestand tomorrow, so they must hope that tonight’s momentum carries to Thursday.