The former SKA forward from the Kontinental Hockey League, Evgeny Artyukhin, offered his view on why achieving a double numerical advantage in hockey can be so challenging. He spoke candidly about the psychological and strategic hurdles that teams confront when they enjoy a five on three power play, a situation that demands precision, patience and flawless execution from every skater on the ice.
Artyukhin noted that while a five on three phase is technically easier to manage because there are more gaps and space, it carries a heavier mental burden. The extended numerical edge creates pressure to convert quickly, and that pressure can cloud judgment. Players may feel an irresistible urge to force a goal, which sometimes leads to rushed decisions that break down the power play instead of sustaining it. In practice, the extra man is supposed to open up lanes and create high quality scoring chances, but the mind can stumble under the weight of expectation rather than under the physical challenge of skating and shooting.
According to the veteran forward, one critical ingredient is concentration. When a team moves to a five on three, it can be tempting for players to assume that a scoring opportunity will materialize automatically. That assumption can erode focus. The momentary lapse in attention can allow the defending team to reset, steal the puck, or disrupt passes. The lesson he shares is simple: maintain discipline, move the puck with intent, and resist the impulse to improvise in ways that destabilize the set power play pattern. The best five on three units execute with rhythm and trust, knowing that a successful sequence often depends on sustained pressure rather than one quick strike.
Artyukhin stressed that every club experiments with multiple set plays when a power play is in effect. If one approach stalls, teams should pivot to another underlying structure rather than abandoning the attack. Without a cohesive plan, one player might try to shoulder too much responsibility, which can fragment the unit. A strong five on three is built on a shared sense of timing, spatial awareness, and unselfish play. When a team possesses a group of skilled players who understand their roles, the probability of converting a five on three increases significantly, reaching a level around eighty percent under optimal conditions. The emphasis is on execution, communication, and the ability to read opponents, not on individual heroics.
In a recent KHL regular season matchup, Dinamo Minsk faced Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod in a game that highlighted the difficulty of converting a five on three. The Belarussian club created several promising chances, yet failed to capitalize on the extended power play on two separate occasions while the score remained tight. Torpedo leveraged disciplined penalty killing and smart positional play to stay alive down a man and prevent a decisive edge. These moments underscored the broader lesson that a five on three is not a guaranteed path to victory; it is a situation that must be approached with crisp execution and tactical flexibility if a team hopes to convert and swing momentum in its favor.
Looking at the standings context from that period, Dinamo Minsk sat near the lower end of the Western Conference, accumulating a modest points total from the early slate of games. Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod, meanwhile, had already demonstrated competitive form, climbing toward a higher rung in the table. Such contrasts illustrate how a successful power play can be a differentiator in a tight league where every point matters and margins are slim. A team that can consistently convert five on three opportunities gains a strategic advantage, especially in late periods when the game often hinges on special team proficiency. The overall takeaway remains that five on three situations require unwavering discipline, precise execution, and a collective mindset focused on sustained attack rather than short bursts of effort.
Earlier remarks from CSKA goalkeepers reflected a broader sentiment about the evolving landscape of professional hockey, including debates about player movement and potential league shifts. Those opinions, while personal and specific to individual careers, contribute to a wider conversation about how teams prepare for high-stakes moments in international competition. The core message endures: success on the power play is a reflection of cohesive teamwork, preparation, and belief in a well-rehearsed plan rather than relying on singular brilliance.