Press conference following game four against CSKA in Saint Petersburg

HC SKA head coach Igor Larionov:

"We find ourselves in a difficult situation in which we will either sink or swim. We have a good team with history, tradition and character. Our players must do everything in order to bring the series back to Saint Petersburg."

Defensive errors leading to goals...

"We couldn't do anything about the stick breaking for CSKA's second goal. For the first marker, our defensemen got caught in attack and couldn't track back in time. Maybe experience was lacking. Nonetheless, we had enough chances in the third period to equalise."

Mistake for the CSKA empty-netter...

"Sergei Plotnikov knows what to do in such situations. All of the mistakes which we committed today have to be corrected on Tuesday. At this moment in time, our main motivation is forcing a game six. 

"We can't lose the series like this. We conceded a late goal in game one, a match which appeared to be in the bag. There were issues concerning penalties and other odd situations. Hopefully, luck will begin to be on our side. We have to compete with determination, character and togetherness. The guys must play the game of their lives if we're to take the series back to Saint Petersburg."

Losing out physically...

"We have an advantage when we're controlling the puck. Technical play and puck control are our strengths, and we need to play to them. Our technically gifted players such as Yegor Savikov and Matvei Polyakov need to start drawing penalties out of CSKA."

Two incidents resulting in not having powerplays...

"CSKA's players should be receiving large penalties for their checks to the head, but the officials aren't giving anything. On the other hand, though, all of our minor fouls are being punished. The players need to take centre stage, not the referees."

Rocco Grimaldi's struggles...

"We believe that he will start gaining points. Unfortunately, we don't have any other players to put in the line-up. We want to help him, but first of all he should help the team with his enthusiasm, desire and passion. This is what we want to see from him. And, it would be great if he scored a hat-trick in Moscow!"

If Scott Wilson will play on Tuesday...

"There is a possibility that he'll play, yes. It's 50/50."

HC CSKA Moscow head coach Igor Nikitin:

"It was a tough game for us. We'll now prepare for the next one."

Adjustments made after the third match...

"We didn't really change anything, we simply analysed the details."

Task of CSKA's heavy players taking SKA out of the game...

"We don't put our lines together based on weight! Our top three lines have been playing with each other for a while. All of our lines have the same tasks more or less, but of course we want to use our size and physical presence accordingly."

Reasons why Nick Ebert didn't play...

"He hasn't been with us that long. Having played in three consecutive games, we decided to give him a rest and recover."

Thoughts on ending the series in Moscow...

"We're focused on ourselves and preparing for game five. That's it."