Ahead of the 2017 season, Lars Johansson packed his bags for games in the KHL and CSKA Moscow.

Since then, Frölunda's former gold goalkeeper has grown into one of the league's absolute best goalkeepers - and this season is no different.

He makes his first season in SKA St. Petersburg and has kept seven zeros in 20 games, which is clearly the best in the league.

Then the chances increase

Now he is in place with Tre Kronor before the Karjala Tournament.

An important tournament for Johansson and the rest of the players in the hunt for an Olympic place in February.

But it's going to be tough.

At the moment, there are many indications that the NHL players will come to the Olympics - unless covid-19 puts sticks in the wheel for their participation.

This means that Johansson competes with, among others, Jacob Markström, Robin Lehner and Linus Ullmark, who all impress in the NHL.

- Sweden has some really good goalkeepers in the NHL where Jacob Markström is perhaps the hottest goalkeeper in the entire league right now.

If the NHL players show up, it will be difficult to take a place, but anything can happen considering the situation with covid right now, so I am preparing to possibly get the chance if something unexpected happens, says Lars Johansson about his Olympic chances.

What do you think about your chances of the NHL players not getting to the Olympics?

- Then they increase significantly, that's it.

Then I think I'm one of the goalkeepers who has a chance to come along.

It has gone well like this in the beginning, but we have several good Swedish goalkeepers in the KHL and also in the SHL, for example Gustaf (Lindvall, Skellefteå) who is here, says Johansson.

"Winning drives me"

In 2019, Lars Johansson participated and won the KHL playoffs Gagarin Cup.

He thrives well in Russia and has his sights set on more titles.

- Of course I feel good because I have stayed there for five years, but above all I think it is the best league in Europe.

There are very good players and I have always had the privilege of playing in good teams over there and we have fought for the Gagarin Cup and I have won it once.

That's what drives me all the time, to win, he says.

CLIP: The filming that fined Klingberg: "Trying to hit me in Hollywood" (November 9)

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The filming that fined Klingberg: "Trying to hit me in Hollywood"