Harijs Vitolins speaks before playing Dynamo Moscow

- Ahead of the Olympic Games, does your training process differ?

- Not really, everything is pretty much the same. A lot of the guys are going to the Olympic Games, we play in the same manner as the Russian national team. As a result, the training process doesn't change.

- Does international ice hockey differ from club level?

- The speed is different. When you play with the national team, the pace of the game is faster than in the KHL regular season. You have to think quicker. In international games, you need one period to gain a rhythm. There are different emotions with the national side.

- Some players are going to the Olympic Games, while others aren't. Is this having an effect on them?

- It's the life of an athlete, you can't take everyone to the tournament. Other clubs have the same situation. Each player tries to make the national team roster. The time always come to choose between players who are both close to being on the roster.

- SKA haven't lost in 2018 yet.

- This is the final home game before the Olympic break. I think that the players have a good mindset, they know that the break is almost here. We don't need to hold back, we have to play this match well. I think it will be an exciting game today.

- Dynamo Moscow have to win this match.

- It's good for us and the players who will travel to the national team. It will be close to the level of games which await at the Olympic Games. The opponents are motivated, they know that they can't lose and they'll try to play aggressively. Dynamo have young, physical players, we have to be prepared.

- For you personally, do you have a special mindset when playing Dynamo?

- No, I think that the guys want to show what they're capable of. This is the last game when a player can prove he's on the right track. I spent a long time working with Dynamo Moscow, it was unforgettable. There were more emotions in the first year, now I am concentrated on our performance. However, there are still nerves before playing Dynamo.

- Will Igor Shestyorkin play in net?

- Yes, the roster has barely changed.