Igor Larionov speaks after playing in Novosibirsk

HC SKA head coach Igor Larionov:

"I would like to congratulate Novosibirsk with their victory. They played well today, especially in the first period and the closing stages. We now have to prepare for our final game of the regular season on Friday."

Avoiding CSKA Moscow in the first round of the playoffs...

"As I have already said, we're not picking opponents. The first period really was terrible from us, and this is an issue which has been discussed in our dressing room. We began to show character and passion in the second stanza, but you need to play well across all three periods if you want to win games. Personally, the most important thing is to enter the playoffs with a healthy squad. The regular season will be forgotten within an instant when the playoffs begin. Therefore, we should be ready for the knockouts both mentally and physically. We need to make decisions with regard to who will take to the ice in the playoffs."

Nikolai Goldobin acting as assistant captain...

"Andrei Pedan and Sergei Sapego, who normally act as our assistant captains, were given a rest today. Incidentally, this was the first time in Nikolai's career when he was an assistant captain! In my opinion, he produced a good performance. We can all see that he's reaching peak form."

Decisions concerning today's line-up...

"Taking into account that he had previously played in all of our matches this season, Sapego had wanted to compete, but I had warned him and Pedan that they would both be rested today. Scott Wilson had received a knock when blocking a shot in Chelyabinsk on Monday, but he had requested to play in this game given that he used to play for Sibir. Brendan Leipsic played his first game in a long time, so there's no use in judging him based on this match."