Olympic champion in hockey Alexander Kozhevnikov called "Ak Bars" the obvious favorite of the playoffs of the Gagarin Cup in the eastern conference KHL.
"Let's start with the fact that Balashikha (Omsk" Avangard "- editor) by name the best composition in the east. Right someone said in the press that such a team will put the game of any veteran from the night hockey league. There, people deeply understand the domestic hockey, everyone sees on two or three moves forward, so they are worried.
For all the sympathy for Kovalchuk, Emelin and not at all confident in their victory. Even if the team passes the "Magnit", then there will be Kazan - with the system, with a large number of young players, with constant motion. Let's see if Hartley sees at least for the move forward, but for me the Favorite of the East is obvious, "Kozhevnikova Russia-Hockey quotes.
The expert also called the causes of defeat (0-4) "Salavat Yulaeva" in the series with Ak Barz in the second round of the Gagarin Cup.
"Waited from Ufa more, in a stylistic plan I like Salavat. At the time when half of the league travels along the rails and plays through the cast, the Ufa team is trying to come up with something and compose. Alas, nothing happened to the playoffs - Kazan crushed the opponent.
The season is extreme, everyone entered it without preparing, a lot of "physics" dictates. In such conditions, the rate on one link does not work, you need at least two or three five. Here Kazan is the best example.
In the course of the championship, Salavat's coaching headquarters were advised more to trust the youth - Muhamadulina, Amirov, juniors from the "tatara". Ufa walked confidently, "regularly" allowed to actively prepare shift. As a result, Hartikainen, Metsol and Co. could not withstand the load. Everything is explained, "the expert believes.
Ak Bars beat Salavat Yulaev in Ufa with a score of 3: 2 in the fourth match of the series of the second round of the Gagarin Cup. Kazan finished the series with a score of 4-0 and reached the final of the playoffs of the Eastern conference KHL.
In the conference final, the Quarterna team will play with the winner of the series between the Omsk "Avangard" and the Magnitogorsk Metallurgist. The account in this series is 2-1 in favor of Omsk.
Photo: Twitter.