Former defender for Spartak Moscow and Sochi, Nikita Shchitov, spoke in an interview about the current state of the 2024 Gagarin Cup playoffs. He believes that St. Petersburg SKA will struggle to reach the semi finals due to challenges with their power play, a critical area in which the team has had persistent issues as the series has unfolded. Shchitov notes that while SKA possesses talent and depth, the execution on offense has not matched the level of sustained pressure required in elite playoff hockey. He emphasizes the importance of converting opportunities and maintaining a sharp, disciplined approach to special teams as the competition advances.
Regarding Army head coach Roman Rotenberg, Shchitov argues that the coach’s concerns about the team’s youth are not decisive. In his view, SKA features many of the country’s top young talents who have shown both speed and skill against veteran opponents. The defender points out that the squad has faced strong competition and that youth can be an asset when paired with experienced players who can push pace and make smart reads under pressure. The key, he suggests, is balance. SKA has a deep bench with athletic youngsters, but the lineup also requires seasoned players who can anchor lines and guide the emerging stars through the grueling playoff schedule.
In a close fifth game of the series, Avtomobilist edged SKA with a 5-4 win. Among the notable performers for Avtomobilist were Alexey Byvaltsev, Nick Ebert, Andrey Obidin, and Alexey Makeev, who each found the back of the net. For SKA, Mikhail Vorobyov, Marat Khairullin, and Arseniy Gritsyuk delivered multiple goals, with Gritsyuk contributing two goals to keep the series tense. The result brought Avtomobilist to four victories in the series, placing the score at 4-1 in favor of the team from Yekaterinburg and setting the stage for a decisive push in the remaining games. The tactical shifts, goaltending performance, and special teams production during this game were widely analyzed by fans and pundits as the teams prepared for the next clash.
Looking ahead to the semi finals, Avtomobilist is set to meet the winner of the Spartak Moscow versus Metallurg Magnitogorsk series. After three games, Metallurg holds a 2-1 advantage, signaling a tightly contested rematch that could hinge on goaltender form, line matching, and the ability to sustain offensive pressure over four quarters. The upcoming series is framed by a mix of veteran leadership and rising stars across both teams, with strategic decisions around fourth line roles, power play setups, and defensive assignments expected to play a decisive role in who advances to the Gagarin Cup final.
The former Tractor club player also commented on the emotional intensity that accompanies every playoff game. He described how the tension in the rink translates into plays that swing momentum, noting that players feed off the crowd energy, the strategic adjustments made by coaches, and the small details that define big moments. These reflections underscore how the postseason demands more than raw talent; it requires composure, clarity, and a willingness to push through fatigue when the stakes are highest.