SKA vs Dynamo Moscow playoff match-up #6 in the past 9 years!

A look at the standings and you’d have to think SKA is the slight favorite. But after losing to Dynamo Moscow in all four meetings this season, this group of Muscovites is the last thing the men from St. Petersburg were hoping to have to face in the playoffs.

Meanwhile, it’s been a long time since Avangard and Metallurg have met up in the playoffs, but the other two times were in the second round and the teams have split fates, each having taken a series. More importantly for Avangard is that it can lean not only on home ice advantage, but also the fact that it won three of the teams’ four contests this year.

19:30: SKA vs Dynamo Moscow

Series stand
0 – 0

Series history
2012: Western conference final. Dynamo Moscow defeated SKA 4-0
2013: Western conference final. Dynamo Moscow defeated SKA 4-2
2015: 2^nd round meet-up. SKA defeated Dynamo Moscow 4-1
2016: 2^nd round meet-up. SKA defeated Dynamo Moscow 4-2
2017: 2^nd round meet-up. SKA defeated Dynamo Moscow 4-1

About the game
Dynamo Moscow has defeated SKA four times this season by scores of 4-3, 2-1 in OT, 2-0 and 3-1, thus holding their opponent to just five total goals in those four contests.
Kuzmenko has points in three straight games, going 2-1-3 over that span.
Jaskin has points in 11 straight games, going 8-8-16 over that span. He had 3-2-5 in the 5-game series against Severstal.
Sergeyev has points in four straight games, going 3-4-7 over that span.

Injury list
SKA: Marat Khusnutdinov

Milestone alert
Defenseman Vasili Tokranov is hoping to collect his 100^th career KHL assist (currently at 99).

19:30: Avangard vs Metallurg

Series stand
0 – 0

Series history
2011: 2^nd round meet-up. Metallurg defeated Avangard 4-3
2012: 2^nd round meet-up. Avangard defeated Metallurg 4-1

About the game
Avangard defeated Metallurg three times this season by scores of 4-0, 2-0, and 4-2, but also lost to them once by a score of 3-0. Shutting each other out does seem to be a trend.
Hrubec has played 72:44 straight minutes without allowing a goal against.
Boucher has points in nine straight games, going 8-5-13 over that span.
Bereglazov has points in three straight games, going 1-2-3 over that span.
Holm has points in three straight games, going 0-3-3 over that span.

Injury list
Avangard: Nail Yakupov
Metallurg: Bogdan Potekhin

Milestone alert
Defenseman Maxim Chudinov is hoping to suit up for his 100^th career KHL playoff game (currently at 99).
Forward Alexei Potapov hoping to collect his 100^th career KHL point (currently at 99).
Forward Ilya Kablukov is hoping to collect his 100^th career KHL assist (currently at 99).