Blue Jackets mimic Kuznetsov's bird celebration after Panarin's winner
The Columbus Blue Jackets took a jab at Evgeny Kuznetsov and the Washington Capitals after beating them in overtime Saturday night.
Kuznetsov busted out his patented bird celebration after tying the game with just over a minute remaining in the third period. Blue Jackets forward Artemi Panarin then won it in the extra frame, and his teammates responded by doing the bird celebration themselves.
Kuznetsov downplayed it postgame but did have a parting shot for his opponents.
"That's fine. It's nice to get some people that think about me," he said, according to The Washington Post's Isabelle Khurshudyan. "Same as like in April last year, you know?"
The Capitals eliminated the Blue Jackets in six games in the opening round of the 2018 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
"I didn't see it but I'm assuming that's a little bit bitter, and I'll leave it at that," Washington forward Tom Wilson told the assembled media, including NBC Sports Capitals.
"I think they can remember what happened, we can remember what happened, and it's a rivalry now," Wilson added. "(If a) team knocks you out, you're not going to be happy about it, so we're going to keep going and I'm sure there will be a few more (games) down the road where you'll see a little animosity."