Everything gets a little more intense come playoff time. Players tend to think about defence before offence most of the time, and they don’t want to be the first person to make a costly mistake in the game. Some players tend to perform better in the playoffs, while others let the pressure get to them and just disappear.
One player who certainly stepped up his game for the KHL playoffs is HC Dynamo Moscow defenceman Andrei Kuteikin, but he has also had some very good luck along the way.
We have seen players from every level of hockey score that blooper reel goal from centre ice or beyond, but it’s very rare to see a player accomplish it more than once. Apparently that rule doesn’t apply to the 32-year-old defenceman.
This goal came in Sunday night’s game and ended up giving his team a 1-goal lead at the time. However, a three-goal third period performance by SKA Saint Petersburg resulted in a 4-2 for SKA and a 2-1 series lead.
This is Kuteikin’s second goal from centre or beyond in as many games, and is his third goal of the postseason from centre ice or beyond.
Perhaps players are going to have to start blocking his shots from outside their own zone, just to play it safe.
(H/T YouTube/KHL)
