Last week, the League’s teams played a total of 24 games, with 538 players (36 goalies, 181 defensemen, and 321 forwards) taking part in the action. The average goals-per-game was at 5.71.
— Best goalie was Henrik Karlsson (Barys), who won three matches of three last week, including one shutout. Karlsson faced 93 shots, or 31 per night, posting a saves percentage of 94.62% and a goals-against average of 1.66. Karlsson was first awarded Best goalie of the week honors in the 2016-2017 season.
— Best defenseman for the third time in his career was Igor Ozhiganov (SKA), who won two games from two with his team last week. Ozhiganov scored 3 (1+2) points, posted no negative ratings, ending the week being plus-3. The SKA blueliner also had ten shots on goal, recorded four hits, and blocked two shots. Ozhiganov was first awarded Best defenseman of the week honors in the 2014-2015 season playing for Sibir, and the second time in the thirteenth week of the current campaign.
— Best forward for the first time in his KHL career was JC Lipon (Dinamo Riga), who won one game from three with his team last week. Lipon scored 5 (2+3) points, including the OT game-winner against Ak Bars Kazan. The Riga forward posted no negative ratings, ending the week being plus-1. Lipon had seven shots on goal, recorded four hits, and earned two powerplays for his team.
— Best rookie for the first time was Nikita Guslistov (Severstal). The 18-years-old forward had 4 (3+1) points, all scored in the 6-3 win over Avtomobilist. He established a KHL record for the youngest hat-trick by a Russian player. Guslistov posted no negative ratings, ending the week being plus-3, had four shots on goal, and logged an average time on ice of nine minutes and 46 seconds.
When 18-year-old kid instead of trying to score his 4th of the night makes an assist like this one, it says a lot.
— KHL (@khl_eng) January 22, 2021
Way to go, Nikita Guslistov! pic.twitter.com/NnqhMze3PX