The ex-Capitals center has played in two games with the Hurricanes since being traded.

For former Washington Capitals center Evgeny Kuznetsov, the last few days have been a whirlwind. He's gone from not skating for 50 days and entering the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program to playing in back-to-back games with the Carolina Hurricanes, and he's feeling right at home.

Kuznetsov is still getting his legs back under him, and though he hasn't found the scoresheet yet, Carolina has liked what it has seen so far as he gets acclimated with new systems and shows flashes of his skill.

The feeling is mutual for the 31-year-old, who is still reeling from the trade from the organization he spent 11 years with but feels Carolina is the "perfect match."

"I'm just so grateful to be here. I don't take anything for granted anymore," Kuznetsov told reporters on Saturday. "Ten days ago, I was in a different spot. I was home and then on waivers, then Hershey, then bus, then no practice, then had to fly, got practice, fly here... just have to believe."

Kuznetsov played 13 minutes in his Hurricanes debut on Saturday before logging 16:38 minutes on Sunday, managing three shots and 36 total shifts while connecting on some nice passes and making impressive plays.

"There's lots of good things. I lot of things are new for me, and like I said three days ago, my job is just to not make things worse," Kuznetsov noted on Sunday. "Just to fill in and understand the roles and everything and bring something special."

That's the most important part of the game right now for Kuznetsov: getting back to his creativity with the Hurricanes and finding his game again.

"I want to get my legs back and just make passes, plays, work hard and do all those right things," Kuznetsov said. "The points will come. I'm in a position where a win means more for me... that's where I fit in. It's more than just points for me."

He also wants to rekindle his joy for the game, and he feels like he's been able to start to do that with his new linemates in Raleigh.

"We've been moving the puck pretty well, and that's how it is. That's how it's supposed to be. Hockey's supposed to be fun, and sometimes, you do have to dump the puck deep and work," Kuznetsov pointed out. "But when it's time to make plays, you gotta make plays and play hockey."

The Russian also had his wife and two kids in the building on Sunday, adding some extra motivation. However, it's been easy for him to find that inspiration and spark following his stint in the player assistance program, and he also had a message he wanted to share with those who may be in a similar situation.

"For those people struggling outside with motivation or whatever it is, just accept the reality, work hard and just believe," Kuznetsov said. "You gotta believe, and you just gotta find motivation in your life and do for your closest ones and things will get better."

THN's Ryan Henkel contributed to this feature.