18 year old Vancouver Canucks’ 2019 first round pick Vasily Podkolzin is making his presence known in the KHL playoffs. This morning in Game #2 of his SKA club’s Western Conference quarter-final series against opponent Vityaz he tallied his first ever professional playoffs’ snipe.

18-year-old Vasily Podkolzin nets first career goal in the #GagarinCup Playoffs! pic.twitter.com/eqXqrNQFBu — KHL (@khl_eng) March 3, 2020

SKA defeated Vityaz 4-3 to take a 2-0 lead in the series.

Two days ago in Game #1 of the series he notched his first helper and professional point of his career on this neat little back hand pass.

РРРРАЗ ДУБЛЬ! Марченко! В первом же своем матче в плей-офф КХЛ! #hcSKA pic.twitter.com/0zwUNIH1i3 — Хоккейный клуб СКА (@hcSKA) March 1, 2020

His Russian coach Alexei Kudashov, who barely played Podkolzin during his first 17 KHL games this season, is now a believer in the Russian Red Bull.

Talked to Vasily’s coach today.



The sky is the limit for this kid says Alexei Kudashov, “He is almost ready for any league in this world.” https://t.co/MJ9DwQbMyQ — Rick Dhaliwal (@DhaliwalSports) March 1, 2020

Kudashov on Podkolzin, “He is getting better and better, he plays some powerplay, some penalty killing, his defensive play I now trust him, he is better at the small details. I trust him in our own end, he also has the players trust, he is great in the dressing room. ” — Rick Dhaliwal (@DhaliwalSports) March 1, 2020

After being held pointless through his first 17 KHL games this season, Podkolzin now has scored 3 goals and added 7 assists for 10 points in his last 15 games.

Game #3 of the first round playoffs match-up is set for Thursday when the talented Russian tries to run his playoffs points streak to three games.

Meanwhile, Vancouver Canucks’ fans will need to be patient. Podkolzin still has one more season left on his KHL contract after this one concludes before he is able to sign with the blue-and-green and bring his ice show to the Lower Mainland.