(2) SKA 1
(1) CSKA 3
CSKA leads the series 3-0
Fans with long memories might recall how Russian hockey often followed the same script. CSKA would bowl through each season in almost untouchable form, and every time it seemed that a serious challenge was emerging the Army Men would find an extra gear to stay ahead of the competition. It brought unprecedented success to the Moscow team – and there are signs that the same narrative might be unfolding this season.
After two wins in the capital the question was all about whether CSKA could bring its imperious form on the road against its closest rival in the regular season. SKA’s form was also impressive, and its imperious dismissal of Dynamo in five games suggested that this series would be a real battle to the last between two teams in top condition. And yet, three games in, the prospect of a sweep is alive and well.
However, if the pre-series talk was all about Alexander Radulov and his devastating partnership with Igor Grigorenko, the fate of this battle has been determined by the little-known Roman Lyubimov. CSKA’s youth team graduate had a moderate regular season and was without a post-season point as he battled with Nikolai Prokhorkin for a place on the roster. But in this series he has come alive, with a goal and an assist in the first game, then 2+1 including an overtime winner in the second meeting. Today he opened the scoring in the second period, finding space on the slot to wrap up a move involving Radulov and Grigorenko.
Denis Denisov doubled the lead on the power play midway through the third, with Radulov and Grigorenko once again playing a part, and that blow felt terminal for SKA’s hopes in the game – and perhaps the series. True, Maxim Chudinov pulled on back almost immediately – his first post-season strike – with a powerful shot from middle distance to give SKA eight minutes to turn the game around. At the same time Ilya Kovalchuk picked up his first point of the series to raise hopes that the contest could be extended further. However an empty net goal for Radulov ensured there was no way back on the night and SKA now faces an early trip to the last-chance saloon when the teams meet once again on Wednesday.
All rights to materials posted on the website www.khl.ru (hereinafter referred to as the Website) and which are the objects of exclusive rights, including the registered trademarks and symbolics of the “КХЛ”/“KHL”, “МХЛ” / “JHL”, “ЖХЛ” / “WHL” (hereinafter referred to as the Trademarks), as well as on photo and video images, articles, etc., which are owned by CHL LLC, are protected in compliance with the legislation of the Russian Federation. The placement and / or use of Trademarks and other intellectual property of CHL LLC without the direct consent of CHL LLC are considered and prosecuted as intellectual property rights violations of CHL LLC in accordance with the laws of the Russian Federation. It is forbidden to automatically extract information from the Website by any services without the official permission of CHL LLC. Quoting from the Website and satellite projects of the official messages of the Kontinental Hockey League is allowed only with a direct link to the site www.khl.ru.
КХЛ 2008—2019
KHL 2008—2019
All rights to materials posted on the website www.khl.ru (hereinafter referred to as the Website) and which are the objects of exclusive rights, including the registered trademarks and symbolics of the “КХЛ”/“KHL”, “МХЛ” / “JHL”, “ЖХЛ” / “WHL” (hereinafter referred to as the Trademarks), as well as on photo and video images, articles, etc., which are owned by CHL LLC, are protected in compliance with the legislation of the Russian Federation. The placement and / or use of Trademarks and other intellectual property of CHL LLC without the direct consent of CHL LLC are considered and prosecuted as intellectual property rights violations of CHL LLC in accordance with the laws of the Russian Federation. It is forbidden to automatically extract information from the Website by any services without the official permission of CHL LLC. Quoting from the Website and satellite projects of the official messages of the Kontinental Hockey League is allowed only with a direct link to the site www.khl.ru.