Kravtsov dazzles with 2 goals in first KHL game

If Vitali Kravtsov has one purpose this season in the KHL, it’s to prove that the Rangers made a mistake in not keeping on the NHL roster.  He took a big step towards proving that in his first KHL game, scoring two goals and adding an assist in Traktor’s 5-4 overtime win over Barys.   To ice the cake, he scored the game winner in overtime.

Just three days after signing his deal with Traktor after the Rangers agreed to loan him to the Russian team, he played in his first game for second place Traktor.  The game was on the road in the Barys Arena in Nur-Sultan, the capital of Kazakhstan.

With the score tied 1-1, Kravtsov scored Traktor’s second goal on a feed from Vladimir Tkachyov on a two-on-one break with 12 seconds left in the period.

Trailing going into the third period 3-2, Kravtsov got the secondary assist on a power play goal by Sergei Kalinin to pull Traktor within a goal, 4-3.   Traktor tied the score with under five minutes left in regulation to set up overtime.

In the 3v3 OT, it was the Kravtsov show as he scored the game winner 1:27 into the overtime. It was quite a goal as he stickhandled past a Barys player and put a backhand past goalie Joni Ortio.  It’s worth a look.

He played 14:19 minutes and led all scorers with his three points.  He scored his two goals on three shots, blocked three shots and wasn’t on the ice for any of the four Barys goals.

Okay, this is sure to unleash a torrent of criticism about the Rangers’ inability to develop young players, but it is still only one game.   He is off to an excellent start and it could mean another return to the Rangers.

Kravtsov himself said that he is looking forward to that in the future. In his statement, as released by the Rangers, he said “I want to thank the Rangers for working with me, and appreciate the open and honest conversations we have had during this process.  While this has been a challenging time for me personally, I believe having the opportunity to return to Traktor and work on my game is the best thing for me right now. My main focus is getting better every day to continue towards my goal of playing hockey for the New York Rangers.”

So, while many believed that his future in the NHL was with another team, if he continues to burn up the KHL, the Rangers will no doubt look to bring him back when the KHL season ends.  At the very least, if they want to trade him, he will increase his value.

Kravtsov’s next game is Sunday. We’ll see how he does.