A spectacular Kravtsov goal in KHL playoff opener
By Steve Paulus
New York Rangers fans have a vested interest in the KHL playoffs that began today. Top prospect Vitali Kravtsov is playing for Traktor and he will be heading west as soon as Traktor’s season is over. After today, it will last at least two days later as they defeated Salavat Yulaev 3-1 with Kravtsov scoring the first goal.
The win has to classified as an upset as Salavat Yulaev finished in fourth place in the KHL’s East Conference, one slot ahead of Traktor. It was a road win with 6,318 fans in attendance at the Ufa-Arena.
Kravtsov’s goal was spectacular and an outstanding individual effort.
After Traktor won the defensive zone faceoff and cleared the zone, Kravtsov took off like a rocket, leaving defender Mikhail Naumenkov behind and fired a wrist shot past goalie Juha Metsola. The goal, at the 4:06 mark, gave Traktor a shortlived lead as they gave up the lead just a minute later.
Traktor won on two goals by Vyacheslav Osnovin.
Kravtsov led all forwards in ice time, playing 20:34 on 22 shifts. He had three shots on goal and finished +1 on the game.
It was Kravtsov’s first playoff goal since 2018 when the posted 11 points in 16 games for Traktor as an 18 year old, helping the team to the Conference Finals.
The teams meet again on Thursday.
CSKA wins with Rykov in the lineup
It took overtime for CSKA powerhouse to win their playoff opener against Spartak in CSKA Arena in Moscow in front of 4,598 fans. The goal was scored by Maxim Shalunov 8:51 into the first sudden death overtime period.
Rangers defense prospect Yegor Rykov played on the third defense pairing and was on ice for 23 shifts and 15:41 minutes and was credited with two blocked shots.
CSKA is the number one seed in the Western Conference and Spartak is seeded eighth so a CSKA loss would have been a huge upset. The series resumes on Thursday.
What it means
Vitali Kravtsov will head to North America as soon as his KHL season ends and playing as well as he is, it could create a very crowded situation on the right side for the Rangers. If he can work his way into the Rangers lineup, it could mean the end of playing time for Julien Gauthier.
The Rangers have to be impressed by the progress Kravtsov has made on all aspects of his game along with the offensive skill that he has always displayed. He is still very young having turned 21 in December.