Avangard, SKA missing just one win to move on!
After three games, Avangard and SKA are undefeated and only lack one win to move on to the second round. Sibir and Dynamo Moscow cut their opponents’ lead.
The KHL playoffs’ matchday starts with the fourth clash between Sibir and Salavat Yulaev. After suffering two losses in Bashkortostan, Sibir started closing the gap with a 2:1 win achieved in third overtime. Ak Bars and Dinamo Minsk are on the edge of a first-round exit – both teams will need to play their best to avoid an unpleasant sweep. The fourth encounter between Severstal and Dynamo Moscow completes and exciting KHL Tuesday.
13:30: Sibir vs Salavat Yulaev
Series stand
Salavat Yulaev leads the series 2-1.
About the game
A goal by Valentin Pyanov after more than 100 minutes of play gave Sibir its first win in the series. Anton Krasotkin was fantastic between the piping for Novosibirsk, stopping 36 shots out of 37 Ufa attempts. Sibir won the game 2:1 at the third OT.
Sibir’s forward Valentin Pyanov is on a four-game scoring streak, with 4 (2+2) points over that span.
Injury list
Sibir: Maxim Goncharov, Vyacheslav Litovchenko, Trevor Murphy.
Milestone alert
Sibir’s forward Denis Golubev may reach 100 KHL assists.
17:10: Dinamo Minsk vs SKA
Series stand
SKA leads the series 0-3.
About the game
In game three, SKA had to overcome not only Dinamo Minsk on the ice, but also a crowd of more than 14,000 in the stands, with a reminiscence of the good old days. A powerplay goal by Nikita Gusev with less than a minute to go in the closing frame made it for SKA. 34 saves by Alexei Kolosov haven’t been enough for Minsk, who is now at just one game to end its season after this 2:3 home loss.
SKA’s forward Andrei Kuzmenko is on a three-game scoring streak, with 6 (4+2) points over that span.
SKA’s forward Anton Burdasov is also on a three-game scoring streak, with 4 (1+3) points.
Injury list
Dinamo Minsk: Mario Kempe.
Milestone alert
SKA’s defenseman Vasily Tokranov may score his 100th KHL assist.
17:00: Severstal vs Dynamo Moscow
Series stand
Severstal leads the series 2-1.
About the game
The Blue-and-Whites took home their first game of the series with a 3:1 victory in Cherepovets. Eric O’Dell found the net in the third period to pot the game-winner in after the teams exchanged goals. A late goal by Vladislav Yefremov sealed the deal for Dynamo.
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 four-game scoring streak, with 4 (1+3) points.
Severstal’s forward Kirill Pilipenko is on a three-game scoring streak, with 4 (1+3) points.
Milestone alert
Dynamo Moscow’s forward Vadim Shipachyov may reach 550 KHL assists.
17:00: Avangard vs Ak Bars
Series stand
Avangard leads the series 3-0.
About the game
Simon Hrubec had another striking performance between the piping for the Hawks, stopping 43 shots in Avangard’s 2:0 shutout win. Young forward Arseny Gritsyuk netted the game winner with five minutes to go in the third period.
Avangard’s goalie Simon Hrubec is on a 111:36 shutout streak.
Injury list
Avangard: Alexander Dergachyov.
Milestone alert
Ak Bars’ goalie Igor Bobkov may record his 30th KHL shutout.
