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Kuznetsov: Caps will win Game 7 because ‘our goalie is better’

Washington Capitals v Buffalo Sabres

Washington Capitals v Buffalo Sabres

NHLI via Getty Images

The Washington Capitals already furnished the New York Rangers with bulletin board material thanks to Alex Ovechkin’s soft guarantee for Game 7. Why not double-down, then?

When asked about why the Capitals might take Wednesday’s decisive game against the Rangers, Evgeny Kuznetsov said it came down to Braden Holtby vs. Henrik Lundqvist ... and he’ll take Holtby.

“Our goalie’s better,” Kuznetsov said with a laugh. “I don’t know what you want me to say. Our goalie’s better.”

Here’s video of his comments, along with other interesting reactions (some more likely than others to provide bulletin board material):

Those are bold words in just about any context, but considering Lundqvist’s status as one of the few truly elite goalies in the NHL - maybe the elite goalie in the league - things get that much spicier. Quite frankly, Lundqvist clearly got the best of Holtby in Game 6, yet perhaps their will be a reversal of fortune when everything’s on the line for both teams?

If that’s true, it would break an interesting pattern:

Perhaps Kuznetsov and Ovechkin were a little bit more candid following the frustration of seeing Washington’s 3-1 series lead evaporate into a 3-3 tie? Whatever the case may be, they’re adding extra motivation to a Game 7, the most inspirational situation a hockey player can ask for (at least from a team standpoint).

The beauty and silliness of sports wraps up in this thought, then: if Washington wins, this will look brilliant ... and the opposite situation would make them look like bragging buffoons.

Barry Trotz probably doesn’t love this, yet it sure makes this situation more fun, doesn’t it? We’ll see if this candor only heightens over the long break until Game 7 on Wednesday, then.