The KHL’s regular season is over and the Gagarin Cup playoff first round is well underway. But who were the ones that excelled during the final week and month of the regular season?
Best of the final week:
The best goalie for the third time in his career was Lars Johansson (CSKA), who won two of three games last week against Severstal (3-0) and Ak Bars (1-0). Johansson faced 91 shots, or 30.3 per night, posting a saves percentage of 97.80% and a goals-against-average of 0.65.
The best defenseman for the sixth time in his career and third time this season was Darren Dietz (Barys), who posted 5 (3+2) points, including potting the game-winner in the game against Kunlun Red Star (3-0). The D-man scored points in all three games of the week, posting a plus-1 rating. Dietz also had 11 shots on goal, blocked four shots, and earned one powerplay for his team.
The best forward for the first time in his career was Kirill Marchenko (SKA), who won three games from three last week with his team. Marchenko had 6 (3+3) points, including netting the game-winner and posting a double in the 4-3 victory over Kunlun Red Star. The SKA forward posted no negative ratings, ending the week being plus-6. Marchenko had 12 shots on goal and logged an average time on ice of 12 minutes and 19 seconds.
The best rookie for the first time was goalie Daniil Tarasov (Salavat Yulaev), who won two games of two last week. Tarasov faced 49 shots, or 24.5 per night, posting a saves percentage of 95.92% and a goals-against-average of 1.00.
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Best of the final month:
The best goalie for the second time in his career was Lars Johansson (CSKA), who won six of seven games in February, including a SO win and three shutouts. Johansson faced 155 shots, or 25.8 per night, posting a saves percentage of 96.13% and a goals-against-average of 0.98.
The best defenseman for the third time in his career was Nick Bailen (Traktor), who scored 11 (7+4) points in nine games. The defenseman potted a double in the match against Dinamo Minsk (2-3 OT) and scored game-winners against CSKA (2-1) and Metallurg (4-3 OT). Bailen also posted a plus-4 rating, had 38 shots on goal, recorded five hits, blocked six shots, and earned four powerplays for his team.
The best forward for the third time in his career was Dmitrij Jaskin (Dynamo Moscow), who won eight games from nine with his team. He scored 13 (7+6) points, including posting the game-winner in the 5-1 win over Jokerit. Jaskin posted a plus-6 rating, had 35 shots on goal, recorded 25 hits, blocked seven shots, and earned three powerplays for his team.
The best rookie for the first time was forward Klim Kostin (Avangard), who won six of eight games with his team. He scored 9 (4+5) points, including netting a double against Dinamo Riga (5-1) and scoring game-winners against the Latvian franchise and Torpedo (3-2 OT). Kostin had 18 shots on goal, recorded 42 hits, blocked three shots, and earned three powerplays for his team.
