Nabokov: Atmosphere in San Jose has Changed

From time to time, we've had the pleasure of getting some assistance from Dmitry Chesnokov, the Washington, DC correspondent for Sovetsky Sport, on obtaining English translations of interviews with Russian players. It's a real treat, as many Russian NHLers seem more comfortable talking to their countrymen than they do to the North American press.

Earlier today, Chesnokov has provided us with a translation of an interview Sovetsky's Mikhail Bykov did with Pittsburgh's Evgeni Malkin following the team's loss earlier this week to the San Jose Sharks. In that same article, Bykov also talked to San Jose Sharks goalie, Evgeni Nabokov.

"It's not only our defense that played well, our forwards have to take a lot of credit. Our attackers always back check and get into the defensive zone quickly and play well there. That's why we were in control. Although, not from the very beginning of the game. In the first period we were very cautious. We usually use the same tactic against certain teams. But then the guys fired up."

And you were on vacation. There were hardly any shots against you.

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"You can only dream of a vacation when there is Crosby and Malkin on the ice. Their shots are always dangerous. There is no time to relax even a little bit. I tried not to lose my concentration."

What's behind this good start to the Sharks' season? New coach?

"We changed our game completely. And the atmosphere inside the team changed..."

Changed for the better?

"I would not want to analyze this now. Let's see what the result will be at the end on the season. Last year we also had a great team, and the previous coach Ron Wilson did a good job. No, let's wait until June. Then we will count our chickens."