CSKA head coach Igor Nikitin summed up the game against the Dynamo:
– It was a wide-open game. The boys did a hell of a job battling through that. Getting ready for the next game against Dynamo.
– Leading 2-0 with all those power plays, we got cute and sloppy. Is this psychology?
– Like I said, the boys reacted the right way to such a chaotic game. We're all human, and when you get hemmed in your own zone like that, anyone can cave under the pressure. It’s a good learning experience.
– Gave up another power-play goal. Do you see an issue here?
– We have a problem here, no use hiding behind the net. But you can't play scared, you just have to handle it.
– We had two completely different first periods against Dynamo. We completely dominated them today. Did you make adjustments, or did the team adapt on their own to change the game?
The first game against Dynamo was right after our trip – we got back in the middle of the night. Those two games against SKA and Dynamo Minsk were a real emotional grind. That's why we had a slow start. Having three days off let us reset and get our energy back.
– After the last game, you said a coach's job is to make sure the guys know on their own when they need to turn it up a notch. Are you happy with the effort today?
– Basically, yeah. We took care of business today. But that doesn't mean we’ve taken care of our unfinished business. They are learning the game. We want to get the boys on the same page so they read the play right and react.
