Makarov Adjusts Well to Capitalism : NHL playoffs: Still, playing for mere money doesn’t provide the same intensity for former Soviet star.

The Calgary Flames had tied the Quebec Nordiques with a furious finish, 8-8. Calgary scored five goals in the last 5 1/2 minutes, including two short-handed goals in the last 15 seconds .

On the team bus, a reporter asked Sergei Makarov, playing his first season in the NHL, if he had ever been in a game like that back home.

“In Soviet Union, we play game like this . . . “ Makarov said, finishing the sentence by running his finger across his throat in a slashing motion.

No need for further translation. The message was clear. Anybody who thinks Makarov is under a lot of pressure being a pioneer in the Soviet invasion of the NHL doesn’t know the meaning of pressure.

Or Soviet hockey.

Makarov was asked again about the difference the other day, during a break from practice for the start of the Stanley Cup playoffs. The Flames will play host to the Kings Wednesday night in Game 1 of the best-of-seven series.

Said Makarov through his interpreter, Vlad Shushkowsky: “When I play for my own country, there is more pressure. This is a job they pay you for. The other is for patriotism.”

In 13 years of Soviet hockey, Makarov, 31, had the best and worst of times.

After two seasons with Tracktor Chelyabinsk, his hometown team, Makarov joined the Central Red Army.

In each of his 11 seasons there, the Red Army club won the Soviet National League title. And in every one of those seasons, Makarov made the league’s All-Star team. He won the league scoring title in nine of his last 10 seasons.

He was also an international star, playing on a dozen gold-medal winning teams for the Soviets, in everything from the Canada Cup to the Olympics.

For many Americans, the 1980 U.S. Olympic hockey team’s gold medal was the highlight of the decade.

Do you believe in miracles?

The Soviets didn’t.

Makarov, who played in three Olympics, still doesn’t believe the Americans had the talent to win.

“It was a great shock,” he said of the reaction in his homeland. “Nobody could believe it. It would have been no shock to lose to a team that is better than you. But to lose to a team that is not as good was hard. If we played them 10 times, we would show them we were better.

“I just think we took them too lightly. We did not feel they were our main opposition. We were worried about the Canadians, the Czechs, the Swedes. Losing to (the Americans) was a fluke.”

Makarov started playing hockey when he was 5. He had two specific dreams, to play in an Olympics and to play in the NHL.

In those days, the second dream seemed destined to remain just that for a child caught in the Cold War, walled off from the West.

But now, with many of the walls down, Makarov is merely one of nine Soviets in the league this season. And, by far, the most successful.

He played in every game for the Flames and had 24 goals and 62 assists, giving him 86 points--fourth-best on the club.

His compatriots haven’t been nearly as effective. Why?

“I think it depends on the team,” Makarov said. “I am lucky to be playing on a team as good as this, the Stanley Cup champions. It is easy to adapt. My teammates help a lot.

“I can’t say anything about the others. I can’t be in their skin. I don’t know about their problems. But I have no doubts all of them will play much better next season. You have to play one year to understand this game here. You can watch this game, but you can never understand it until you play.”

Makarov says that the NHL game is more physical than the international variety and more offense oriented. More shots on goal, fewer passes. But he doesn’t label one better than the other.

“If you took the best players from there and here, you’d have the best team,” he said. When teammate Gary Roberts’ passes weren’t to Makarov’s liking, he would shake his head in disapproval. This was not the precision he was used to.

Finally, Roberts told him, “Sergei, I’m just not good enough.”

Of course, a guy can put up with a little imperfection when it’s worth $1.05 million to him over three years. That’s the deal that lured Makarov.

It makes the changes more palatable, but he still has to shake his head when he and his wife, Vera, hear their 10-year-old son, Tom, speaking English and talking in wonder about the exploits, not of some Soviet star, but of Joe Montana. Or when Makarov sees his countrymen back home talking about anything they please in public.

All he will say about glasnost is, “I think it is good. I am grateful, because, without it, I would not be here.”

Although he favors an interpreter, Makarov’s English has improved. That was obvious in one game this season when he became increasingly upset with Perry Gregson over several calls by that official.

Each time, Makarov muttered in Russian.

Finally, Gregson, exasperated, shouted, “Why don’t you speak English?”

Makarov did, replying with two expletives.

“Is that English enough for you?” Makarov added.

It sure was. He got a 10-minute misconduct.

King Notes

Although a final decision on Wayne Gretzky’s availability for Game 1 has been put off for 24 hours, King Coach Tom Webster says it is “highly unlikely” his center will play. Gretzky is still in Los Angeles, receiving treatment for the back injury he suffered March 22. “He’s got to able to show significant improvement to play,” Webster said. . . . Defenseman Tom Laidlaw, also in Los Angeles because of a back injury, will not play. . . . Fellow defenseman Larry Robinson, recovered from a groin strain, will practice today.