Metallurg is one of the hottest teams in the league, having won its latest ten games. Today, Magnitka stays in Moscow after Sunday's win over Dynamo. However, it won't be easy for the Steelers as Spartak is on a two-game winning streak, and goalie Alexei Krasikov has just been named the best goalie of the week.
Another exciting West vs East matchup will happen in Kazan, when Ak Bars hosts Dinamo Minsk. Kvartalnov's men just defeated Salavat Yulaev on the first Green Derby of the season, while Dinamo Minsk is on a three-game winning streak. Moreover, the Belarusian franchise has already defeated Ak Bars this year.
Lokomotiv has won its latest three matches, and the Yaroslavl side is yet to lose a game with Igor Nikitin behind the bench. However, defeating SKA in St. Petersburg is not an easy feat. Closing the matchday is the showdown between HC Sochi and Salavat Yulaev.
About the game
Ak Bars enters the game on a two-game winning streak and is at the second of a three-match home series.
Dinamo Minsk won its previous three matches and is at the second of four road games.
Earlier this season, Dinamo already defeated Ak Bars in Minsk (5:2), however, its latest win in Kazan dates back to Oct 26, 2016 (5:3).
Ak Bars' Igor Bobkov is on a 60:11 shutout series.
Dinamo Minsk's Tayler Graovac and Lukas Bengtsson are on an identical three-game scoring streak, with 4 (1+3) points over that span.
Dinamo Minsk's forward Taylor Beck is on a four-game scoring streak, with 4 (0+4) points.
Injury list
Ak Bars: Kirill Panyukov
Dinamo Minsk: Artyom Demkov, Malte Stremwall
Milestone alert
Ak Bars goalie Igor Bobkov may record his 30th career shutout, while his teammate Timur Bilyalov may reach 20.
About the game
SKA won its latest two games and is at the final of a three-match home series.
Lokomotiv is on a three-game winning streak and starts tonight a two-match road trip.
Earlier this season, SKA already defeated Lokomotiv (4:3 SO).
SKA's goalie Lars Johansson is on a 59:58 shutout streak.
SKA's forward Kirill Marchenko is on a three-game scoring streak, with 4 (3+1) points over that span.
Lokomotiv's forward Alexander Polunin is on a four-game scoring streak, with 6 (3+3) points over that span.
His forward teammate Pavel Kudryavtsev is on a three-game scoring streak, with 3 (2+1) points.
Injury List
Lokomotiv: Anton Sagadeyev, Andre Petersson
Milestone alert
Lokomotiv's forward Pavel Kraskovsky may reach 100 career points (currently 99).
SKA's Emil Galimov and Vasily Tokranov may reach 100 career assists (currently 99).
About the game
Spartak enters the third of a three-match home series, having won its latest two games.
Metallurg is on an incredible 10-game winning streak, and is at its second of a three-match road trip.
Spartak's goalie Alexei Krasikov is on a 62:09 shutout streak.
His teammate forward Jori Lethera is on a four-game scoring streak, with 4 (0+4) points over that span.
Jake Virtanen scored a goal in each of his previous three games.
Metallurg's forward Brendan Leipsic is on a four-game scoring streak, with 4 (2+2) points.
About the game
HC Sochi lost its previous five games and is at the second of a three-match home series.
Salavat Yulaev is on a two-game losing streak and at the final of two consecutive road matches.
Injury list
Salavat Yulaev: Dinar Khafizullin, Alexei Pustozyorov, Stepan Sannikov
Milestone alert
Salavat Yulaev's forward Teemu Hartikainen may break the 400-point mark in the KHL.