Valeri Bragin's conference ahead of the 2020/2021 KHL Gagarin Cup playoffs
HC SKA head coach Valeri Bragin:
- It was a difficult regular season, especially given the illness situation. Nevertheless, we subsequently improved our physical condition and worked a lot on tactical aspects. I think that we're in good shape ahead of the playoffs. Of course, the fact that we won the concluding three matches of the regular season helped us psychologically.
- Dinamo Minsk like to put an emphasis on their attack. Does this help SKA?
- They tried out different schemes during the regular season game on Saturday. We're ready for anything they throw at us.
- Who will be the starting goalkeeper for SKA?
- Alexander Samonov will start in goal in the playoffs.
- Why isn't Lukas Bengtsson playing at the moment? He is one of SKA's best players statistically.
- We have seven foreigners, we always pick the line-up ahead of every individual match. Lukas is training, he's ready to play. It's always good when you have lots of players to choose from.
- Dinamo Minsk played against SKA on Saturday without a number of their leaders.
- I think that they will still play in the same aggressive manner. We have all of the required information about the opponents.
- Will Marat Khusnutdinov return before the season ends?
- No, his season is over.
- How close are the players to optimal form?
- In terms of their physical shape, they are close.
- Are you satisfied with how SKA have been performing on special teams?
- As a coach, you always spot the mistakes and try to fix them. Overall, we can see improvements. Hopefully, we will continue to improve further in the playoffs, special teams are vital.
- Who will be on the ice for SKA in the playoffs?
- I think that the line-up will largely be the same as it was against Dinamo Minsk at the weekend.