Harijs Vitolins speaks before playing Severstal in the KHL playoffs

- We need to improve the quality of our game, we had chances against Severstal yesterday but we were lacking the final touch. Special teams are one of our strong points, but we didn't score in that match. We have to forget the Olympic Games and focus on the KHL playoffs.

- Can Sergei Plotnikov replace Kirill Kaprizov?

- They have played together all season and managed to score goals. You can't compare him to Kirill Kaprizov, they are different players. Our powerplay works with Sergei Plotnikov too.

- Nikita Gusev and Pavel Datsyuk haven't played in one line before.

- Why? Before Vadim Shipachyov came here, they played on the powerplay together.

- Is it hard to forget the Olympic Games?

- Yes, but it's really important. It's a shame that we have this schedule, after any big tournament you need time to recover emotionally. However, we have to work with this situation. The playoffs start on Sunday, the teams want to prove their worth. It will be a serious battle.

- Were you nervous before meeting the Russian President?

- No, it was just nice to go and hear words of support.

- Sergei Kalinin hasn't been training.

- At the moment, it's hard to say when he will be ready to play. For now, he's injured. He won't play in the playoffs first round.

- What about Roman Rukavishnikov?

- He is training in the gym, but it's a long time before he can skate again.

- Dinar Khafizullin?

- He is skating, but that isn't enough. We hoped that he would be ready for the Olympics, but the healing process is taking a long time.

- Severstal have two mobile lines.

- We're starting the series at home, so we need to play our style of ice hockey. We can't make individual mistakes. We know which Severstal players need to be closed down more, everything will depend on how we stick to the game plan.

- Which young players can you single out from this KHL regular season?

- Everyone tried their best, there were games where they played well. A few games aren't enough, but they have potential and they proved that in Helsinki. Despite having 10 players from the VHL, they competed with desire and created chances. It's a shame that they didn't score. Our young players are growing, I think that they will be ready for the main team soon.

- Will any of them participate in the KHL playoffs?

- Yegor Rykov is our young player, but Danila Galenyuk will play in the next match.

- When in front of Vladimir Putin, what did you say to him?

- Nothing. We need to forget the Olympic Games and prepare for the KHL playoffs.

- Where have you kept your medal?

- Only the players got medals.

- Would you sign any of Germany's players for SKA?

- They have players which competed in the NHL, but you have to watch how they play over a long period of time. In matches, you think about your players.

- Who is stronger: Germany or Severstal?

- The Olympic Games and KHL are different tournaments. Severstal made the playoffs for the first time in a number of years and fighting to keep their club alive.

- Which goalkeeper will start the KHL playoffs?

- We have two days to decide.