Former KHL defenseman Nikita Shchitov has drawn a comparison between the fight for the Gagarin Cup and the Stanley Cup.
“I’m following the NHL playoffs, it’s very interesting. Although I can’t watch everything. The time zone difference prevents me from diving deeper. I closely watched the series between Montreal and Tampa. Vasilevskiy is a great goaltender, and Kucherov gets a lot of attention from opponents. I like how Nikita takes the hits, even though they constantly try to rattle him, hit him in the back, and make it painful, but he endures it all.”
“Ivan Demidov is playing some interesting hockey, he’s great at puck control. Just last year he was still playing in the KHL playoffs. It’s fascinating to follow how a player develops. Same with Svechnikov—he’s playing well. I try to keep an eye on my fellow countrymen.”
“In the NHL, hockey is fast, dynamic, and aggressive. There’s a contrast with the Gagarin Cup playoffs. The NHL gathers the best players from around the world, including young talents. Everything is very intense and physical. Games there keep you on edge. Our hockey is a bit different.”
“It’s hard to compare because the NHL selects players from all over the world and filters out the best. Obviously, it’s interesting to watch. But our playoffs are also captivating to watch. After all, it’s a matter of taste, as they say,” said Nikita Shchitov.
