With the KHL playoffs approaching and the top three teams from each conference having clinched their playoff spots, the KHL writers at Last Word On Sports decided to collaborate for a playoff preview. Writers, Aivis Kalnins and Cirno Avery present: CSKA Moscow – KHL Playoff Preview.
CSKA Moscow – KHL Playoff Preview
Coaching: This season’s suprise, Dmitri Kvartalnov, is a coach who has come out of nowhere and is leading the team to success. Organizing the offense and defense for a team full of stars has to be tough, but he has led the team to the top of the standings.
Defense: CSKA’s defense has been solid all season. They have an offensively gifted young d-core, which likes to step up their game offensively to support their fowards. Nikita Zaitsev is the one to be highlighted as he can’t be seen to play loads of defense, but when he does it’s effective, with a +/- rating of +19, with 26 points in 48 games played. Georgi Misharin is the surprise this season for CSKA defensively, with a huge +26. He also chips in on offense, having a goal and eleven assists so far in 35 games played.
Offense: The Red army team has the league’s best point-getter, Alexander Radulov (61 point in 38 games played), who seems to be lighting up the lamp as often as possible. And if he fails to do so, there is Stephane DaCosta, who is the third best goal scorer in the league thus far with 24 goals. Igor Grigorenko and Jan Mursak are not far behind either, giving CSKA a fearsome offense.
Goaltending: The team has an amazing offense, incredible defense, and you can’t complain about its goaltending either. The team has five goalies on their roster with only two of them playing – Kevin Lalande is their backup between the pipes, leading the league with 1.24 GAA and second best saves percentage frozen at 93.9%. It is difficult to understand why Stansilav Galimov, the team’s starter, has played as much as he has considering the team’s back-up is better statistically. Still, CSKA have no reason to complain as Galimov has a 1.85 GAA and 91.6 % SV. Both CSKA goaltenders are in the top three for shutouts with six each.
Conclusion: If you are looking for Gagarin Cup contenders, don’t look too far. CSKA is a team a step ahead of everyone and few would be surprised if they took home the cup. There is only one problem: they would have to break a tradition. No President Trophy winners have won the Gagarin Cup. Will they step over the dogs tail and come on top? Only time will tell.
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