Does CSKA finally catch up with Ak Bars with a 33rd win today?

If so, it’ll have to come in the form of a tough road win against Lokomotiv. Desperate for a win are the boys who suit up for Traktor, which have lost five straight. Visiting Vityaz isn’t planning on letting the opportunity to beat a dead dog pass.

Out east, Sibir will hope to get its 20^th win of the season against a Kunlun team that is once again hurting for a win. Meanwhile, Barys welcomes Salavat in what should be a hard-fought battle – maybe the day’s best!

15:30: Sibir (19-22-4) vs Kunlun (10-26-7)

About the game

Sibir is entering today’s contest having lost its last game.

Kunlun is entering today’s contest on a 4-game losing streak.

Sibir is playing the 2^nd of two straight home games.

Kunlun is playing the 3^rd of three straight road games.

Sibir has defeated Kunlun twice this season by scores of 5-4 and 6-1, but also lost to them 1-0.

Jokipakka has points in three straight games, going 0-3-3 over that span.

Lockhart has points in three straight games, going 2-3-5 over that span

Injury list

Sibir: Eric O’Dell

Milestone alert

Forward Alexei Yakovlev is hoping to suit up for his 100^th career KHL game (currently at 99).

Goaltender Anton Krasotkin is hoping to make his 100^th KHL appearance in goal (currently at 99).

Defenseman Viktor Baldayev is hoping to suit up for his 100^th career KHL game (currently at 99).

16:30: Barys (22-15-5) vs Salavat (27-15-4)

About the game

Barys is entering today’s contest having lost its last game.

Salavat is entering today’s contest on a 2-game winning streak.

Barys is playing the 2^nd of three straight home games.

Salavat is playing the 2^nd of three straight road games.

The teams have exchanged victories this season, 3-2 in OT for Barys and 4-1 for Salavat.

Dietz has points in five straight games, going 1-4-5 over that span.

Zharkov has points in three straight games, going 1-3-4 over that span.

Injury list

Barys: Viktor Svedberg, Leonid Metalnikov

Salavat: Mikhail Vorobyov

Milestone alert

Forward Dmitri Kugryshev is hoping to collect his 300^th career KHL assist (currently at 299).

Forward Vyacheslav Solodukhin is hoping to collect his 100^th career KHL game (currently at 99).

17:00: Traktor (24-17-2) vs Vityaz (21-20-3)

About the game

Traktor is entering today’s contest on a 5-game losing streak.

Vityaz is entering today’s contest fresh off a defeat.

Traktor is playing the 1^st of four straight home games.

Vityaz is playing the 2^nd of three straight road games.

Traktor defeated Vityaz earlier this season by a score of 3-1.

Injury list

Vityaz: Yevgeni Katichev

Milestone alert

Defenseman Denis Bodrov is hoping to collect his 100^th career KHL assist (currently at 99).

19:00: Lokomotiv (28-11-5) vs CSKA (32-7-5)

About the game

Lokomotiv is entering this contest fresh off a loss.

CSKA is coming into this contest on a 3-game winning streak.

Lokomotiv is on a 1-game homestand.

CSKA is playing the 3^rd of three straight road games.

Lokomotiv has lost the last seven games it’s played against CSKA.

CSKA last defeated Lokomotiv twice this season by scores of 3-1 and 3-2.

Osipov has points in three straight games, going 2-2-4 over that span.

Lander has points in five straight games, going 1-5-6 over that span.

Kraskovsky has points in three straight games, going 3-1-4 over that span.

Injury list

Lokomotiv: Yegor Averin, Pavel Kudryavtsev

CSKA: Andrei Loktionov

Milestone alert

Defenseman Denis Barantsev and forward Yegor Korshkov are each hoping to collect their 100^th career KHL point (currently at 99).