Igor Nikitin, head coach of the CSKA:
– That’s a good win for us. They went scoreless for two periods. For the guys, it was crucial not to lose focus on the game despite having the puck possession advantage.
– Would you say that after the last two derbies, you put a stronger emphasis on defense?
– We didn't focus on playing defense. We always practice tracking back both ways. This is our third game this week already. The boys knew what to expect, we just had to iron out the details. Nah, I feel like we had our chances offensively today, we just lacked that drive. Their goalie played well, and we couldn't get any second-chance opportunities. That was exactly the problem.
– CSKA was lighting it up at the start of the season, so a 1-0 finish is definitely a shocker.
We're not worried about that. You need to be able to win both high-scoring and low-scoring games. It’s a mix of skill and the mental game. That’s why I said it was a huge game for us. It was a high-intensity, physical battle from start to finish.
– Is it known when Riley Savchuk will join the team?
He is already training with the team, but he just needs to get clearance to play for us. But I hope he’ll be good to go for the next game.
– What role do you see him playing on the team?
– We were looking to replace Denis Zernov. He is a two-way center who excels at both ends of the ice, dominates on face-offs, and is a true character player. Basically, Riley’s got the whole package. It’s all about how he adjusts to our game and his timeline for getting up to speed. Don't give them a free pass. The game will tell.
– Are you trying to block out the 11-game winning streak? Is that just business as usual now?
– We value victories, especially when they are hard-earned. So, we really want the guys to focus on this: a win only feels good when you've earned it. That’s when it’s a result of your hard work. That wasn't just puck luck. The guys are working hard and leaving everything on the ice. But at the same time, we're moving past it. No point overthinking it. Keep it up further.
Leonid Tambiev, head coach of HC Dynamo Moscow:
- It was a next-goal-wins kind of game. There's a lot of physical play Four-minute penalties, and just penalties in general, are a big issue for us. We're battling through it, but we just can't get through to them yet. You can't take penalties in games like this, you have to stay disciplined. o be fair, the guys worked hard, battled out there, and stuck to the game plan. They knew exactly how we needed to play. Did a lot of good things. But that moment let us down.
– How are you addressing the undisciplined penalties right now?
We talk the game and break it down. Everything else is just our internal team business and how we battle through it.
– Would you say today’s game was a total blowout, and is it fair to call it the worst since the start of the season? Not enough scoring chances.
– I haven't seen many games this season where an opponent created so many scoring chances against CSKA.
– Reports have surfaced regarding a possible Jordan Weal trade. How would you comment on it?
– I don’t comment on rumors.
