NASHVILLE — Evgeny Kuznetsov received Alex Ovechkin’s blessing before Saturday night’s skills competition during the NHL’s all-star weekend. Kuznetsov was selected as Ovechkin’s replacement in the All-Star Game after Ovechkin pulled out with a lower-body injury, and he warned his Washington Capitals teammate in their group chat that he planned to imitate him in the breakaway challenge.
“He okay with that because I buy some hats and jersey for him,” Kuznetsov said.
For context, here’s Ovechkin in the breakaway challenge in 2009, wearing a cowboy hat and goggles:
On Kuznetsov’s second shot of the breakaway challenge, he put on a cowboy hat that said “I’ve Been Honky Tonkin’ On Broadway” and some glasses that fit with the Music City theme.