Series stand
The series is tied 2-2 (2:3 3ОТ, 2:1, 0:4, 3:1).
About the game
SKA’s head coach Roman Rotenberg opted to sit forward superstar Nikita Gusev after a series of lackluster performances, and the move paid off for the team as Falkovsky and Volkov answered Konstantin Okulov’s opening goal. Later in the game, CSKA stepped on the gas in an attempt to equalize, but Zakhar Bardakov found the breakaway that sealed the deal for SKA, beating Adam Reideborn one-on-one to level the series. The Muscovites looked a little tired after two consecutive seven-game series, while St. Petersburg certainly has more freshness. CSKA also had to deal with a game misconduct penalty on d-man Andrei Sergeyev, which forced Nikita Nesterov and Fredrik Claesson to take some extra shifts – it was the former’s mistake that started Bardakov’s counterattack that ultimately led to SKA’s third goal. The momentum is now on SKA’s side, but Sergei Fedorov’s men have shown in the past that they have enough experience to deal with any situation. However, will they have enough reserves?
Milestone alert
SKA’s forward Nikita Gusev may reach 100 points in the Gagarin Cup playoffs (currently at 96).
SKA’s forward Nikolai Prokhorkin, CSKA’s defenseman Nikita Nesterov, and CSKA’s forward Anton Slepyshev may reach 50 points in the KHL postseason. They are all currently sitting at 47 points.
