SKA Saint Petersburg:

Game 31: Thursday, November 28th

SKA 2-3 Admiral Vladivostok (SO)

Game 32: Saturday, November 30th

SKA 7-5 Amur Khabarovsk

After two games of scoring four or more goals on the other side of their run of poor offensive form, SKA reverted to their low-scoring ways against Admiral. They were down 2-1 late into the third period and were just barely able to force the extra frame after a goal by Marat Khairullin stood after a review determined the puck went in the net before it was knocked off its moorings. However, they ultimately were just not able to get it done when the match went to the “glorified skills competition.” SKA were out-shot in this matchup 43-32, so this simply came down to not generating enough looks or, at times, penetration. This scene could not repeat itself against Amur.

Fortunately, it would not, as they registered seven goals and skated away to a regulation victory to close out their quick two-game Eastern Conference road trip. It was not a comfortable affair by any means, as both teams would swap out their starting netminders before it was all said and done and SKA were on the receiving end of a hat trick by familiar face Alex Galchenyuk. However, the offensive outburst on both sides which consistently saw both teams attacking and countering without much prevention would ultimately fall in SKA’s favor. Evgeny Kuznetsov and Marat Khairullin would both have five point nights (1g-4a and 3g-2a, respectively) and the breathing room finally came at the end via Khairullin’s hat trick capoff as he iced it with an empty netter. The only points of frustration were Arseni Gritsyuk not being able to register any points despite the Devils prospect tallying 6 shots on goal and Ivan Demidov apparently being in the doghouse again as he was benched while listed as the thirteenth forward, not getting any TOI. In the case of the former, I have to imagine his lethal goal scoring ability will come back eventually. In the latter instance, I don’t know how the future Canadien can prove himself worthy of a full-time top six spot if he is not provided with any opportunities.

HC Sochi:

Game 29: Wednesday, November 27th

Sochi 2-3 Ak Bars Kazan (OT)

Game 30: Saturday, November 30th

Sochi 3-4 Admiral Vladivostok

Game 31: Monday, December 2nd

Sochi 1-2 Amur Khabarovsk

Before leaving home, the “Leopards” had a disappointing matchup with Ak Bars as they blew leads of both 1-0 and 2-1. In the latter case, this was with just over seven minutes remaining after having battled to what ultimately amounted to a low-event second period. They were on their heels a fair bit and ultimately unable to protect what leads they did generate before ultimately falling in the extra frame. As it would turn out, this would be an omen for the beginning of their “journey” of sorts.

In consecutive matchups, Sergei Zubov’s squad were felled by late third period goals to start off their very long road trip. Against Admiral Vladivostok, they took a 3-2 lead with under five minutes remaining in regulation only for their opponents to have an answer on the ensuing draw to tie back up. Sochi would subsequently allow the GWG approximately two minutes later. They made a spirited effort with their net emptied in the closing seconds, but ultimately were saddled with a regulation loss. A similar scene played out against Amur as they entered the third period with a 1-1 tie after having leveled it in the second frame, but ultimately lost on a late goal yet again. On the bright side, Alexander Khokhlachev remains on good form, as he tallied his first goal in a Sochi uniform for their sole strike of the matchup. He wasn’t on the scoresheet against Admiral nor Ak Bars, but he does look like a reliable presence with three points in his five appearances to this point. Hopefully, he maintains or even builds upon this current pace to provide them with some much needed offense on this trek which will keep them away from the Bolshoy Ice Dome until December 27th. As a cohort, though, they need to build upon leads more and do a better job of protecting them. I anticipate that, if they are to win in their next matchup (which places them against a team that is usually an Eastern titan but is having a down season), they’ll need to do a lot early and remain proactive consistently over the course of 60 minutes.

Next games:

SKA Saint Petersburg: vs. Dynamo Moscow – Thursday, December 5th @ 11:30 AM EST

HC Sochi: @ Avangard Omsk – Tomorrow, 8:30 AM EST