Severstal and Avangard looking to achieve third win at home!
After two games, Severstal and Avangard are sensationally ahead by two games. Salavat Yulaev faces Sibir and SKA hosts Dinamo Minsk in the two remaining games of an exciting KHL playoff Sunday.
Many expected Severstal to be a surprise this season, but not so many were probably expecting the Andrei Razin’s men to be up by two in a series against Dynamo Moscow started on the road. The same can be said for Avangard. The Gagarin Cup reigning champions had a huge task in front of themselves – confront with Ak Bars in the first round – yet are currently up by two games after taking home the first two encounters.
In the other two series, Salavat Yulaev and SKA’s success is less of a sensation, but they aren’t in the second turn just yet – both sides will have to fight on the road now.
13:30: Sibir vs Salavat Yulaev
Series stand
Salavat Yulaev leads the series 0-2.
About the game
Four different skaters scored for Salavat Yulaev in game two – even with a shout-out to Rodion Amirov – to double Ufa’s lead over Sibir. Alexander Sharychenkov, most recently playing on Jan 5 against Dinamo Riga, stopped 22 shots, leading the Bashkortostan side to a 4:2 home victory.
Sibir’s forwards Valentin Pyanov and Alexander Sharov are on a three-game scoring streak, with 3 (1+2) points over that span.
Injury list
Sibir: Maxim Goncharov, Vyacheslav Litovchenko, Trevor Murphy.
17:10: Dinamo Minsk vs SKA
Series stand
SKA leads the series 0-2.
About the game
SKA had a harder time to achieve its second victory over Dinamo Minsk, but they got to a 2-0 lead in the series with a 3:1 home victory courtesy of a double by Andrei Kuzmenko. Lars Johansson had 17 saves for St. Petersburg.
SKA’s defenseman Mikko Lehtonen is on a three-game scoring streak, with 5 (1+4) points over that span.
Injury list
Dinamo Minsk: Mario Kempe.
Milestone alert
SKA’s forward Emil Galimov may score his 200th KHL point (currently at 199).
Dinamo Minsk’s forward Malte Stromwall may reach 100 KHL points (currently at 99).
SKA’s defenseman Vasily Tokranov may record his 100th KHL assist (currently at 99).
SKA’s defenseman Mat Robinson lines up for his 100th KHL playoff game.
17:00: Severstal vs Dynamo Moscow
Series stand
Severstal leads the series 2-0.
About the game
Severstal went up by three by the eighth minute as Dynamo failed to recover. Daniil Vovchenko potted a double in Severstal’s 4:3 road victory.
Severstal’s forward Daniil Vovchenko scored five goals in his previous four games.
Severstal’s defenseman Ilya Khokhlov is on a five-game scoring streak, with 7 (1+6) points over that span.
Severstal’s defenseman Jakob Stenqvist is on a three-game scoring streak, with 3 (1+2) points.
Dynamo Moscow’s forward Vadim Shipachyov is on a four-game scoring streak, with 5 (1+4) points.
Milestone alert
Dynamo Moscow’s Vadim Shipachyov can become the first player to reach 550 assists in the KHL (currently at 549).
17:00: Avangard vs Ak Bars
Series stand
Avangard leads the series 2-0.
About the game
Avangard sensationally won game two as well, with two shorthanded goals in the second period to run away with a 5:2 lead. Simon Hrubec was once again excellent for the Hawks between the piping, with 26 saves.
Injury list
Avangard: Alexander Dergachyov.
Milestone alert
Avangard’s forward Vladimir Zharkov plays his 100th KHL playoff game tonight.
Ak Bars’ goalie Igor Bobkov may record his 30th career shutout.
