It was a quick series for CSKA Moscow in their quarterfinal matchup with Torpedo, as the KHL’s top team needed the minimum four games to complete the series and send them on to the next round.
Kirill Kaprizov, Minnesota’s prized prospect, got off to a great start in the series, notching two assists in the Game 1 3-0 win. The winger and KHL’s leading goal scorer added an empty netter in Game 2 which also turned into a 3-0 win for CSKA as the teams switched venues heading into Games 3 and 4.
CSKA needed overtime to win Game 3, 2-1. Kaprizov was held off the scoresheet as his team took a commanding 3-0 lead in the series. Game 4 went to overtime as well, and until the final goal, Kaprizov had gone without a point in this game too.
But that changed as he potted the series-clinching goal to send the defending champions on to the Western Conference semifinals.
Kaprizov commented after the series winner that it was intense despite the series sweep for his club. He also did not want to take individual credit for his winning goal in the end, just gave credit to Anton Slepyshev for the pass and the team for the win.
“It’s great [what the team] have earned. [Slepyshev] gave me a good pass, but I just [shot] it, ”said Kaprizov (roughly translated from sports.ru).
With the series in the books, CSKA now awaits the results of the rest of the quarterfinals to let themselves play out. Barring a collapse by Jokerit — who leads their series 3-1 as of Monday morning — CSKA will play the winner of the Moscow Derby, Dynamo or Spartak in round two.
The earliest a winner would come in that series would be following Game 6 on Thursday.
Kirill Watch will return on Friday with an update and schedule on the second round series.
