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Avtomobilist seeking return to victory in Sochi!
The Motormen slipped down to second position in the East after losing a couple of games – Avtomobilist failed to defeat SKA and CSKA and is now looking to taste the winning flavor again as they visit the Black Sea shores with an away game in Sochi. Conversely, the Andrei Nazarov men lost their last six games and achieved only three wins this season.
The KHL matchday starts in Khabarovsk when the Tigers host Spartak. The Red-and-Whites have already defeated Amur this season, and the Khabarovsk franchise will try to get its revenge on home soil. Moreover, Spartak’s latest away win against Amur is dated more than seven years ago.
Later, Avangard hosts Severstal. Both sides are on losing streaks and both will want to win again to propel their playoffs push. Then, Neftekhimik hosts Barys. The Wolves are on a good shape of late, winning eight of their latest ten games. However, one of the main contributors to this streak – goalie Emil Garipov, recently acquired from Traktor – is now sitting on the injury list.
In the matchday’s last game, Torpedo hosts Kunlun Red Star. The Igor Larionov’s young guns are having an excellent season, and the Dragons will have to play at their maximum to cope with Torpedo’s speed.
10:00: Amur (6-11-3, 11th E) vs Spartak (10-7-5, 6th W)
About the game
Amur is in the middle of a three-game home series and defeated Vityaz on Thursday (3:2).
Spartak, who has already defeated Amur this season (3:2), is in the middle of a three-game road trip and won against Admiral on Friday (2:1 SO).
However, Spartak’s most recent win in Khabarovsk is dated Sep 10, 2015 (2:1).
Injury list
Amur: Andrei Alexeyev, Igor Rudenkov, Kirill Slepets.
14:00: Avangard (7-11-2, 10th E) vs Severstal (9-8-4, 8th W)
About the game
Avangard starts a three-game home series and lost its previous three matches.
Severstal starts a four-match road trip and is on a two-game losing streak.
Severstal’s forward Kirill Pilipenko is on a four-game scoring streak, with 6 (3+3) points over that span.
Injury list
Avangard: Christian Jaros, Nail Yakupov.
Severstal: Alexander Suvorov.
17:00: Neftekhimik (8-11-1, 9th E) vs Barys (11-9-1, 4th E)
About the game
Neftekhimik, who has already defeated Barys this season (2:1), ends a two-game home series and defeated Sibir on Monday (3:2).
Barys starts a four-game road trip and lost to Metallurg on Friday (0:5).
Neftekhimik’s most recent home win over Barys is dated Aug 30, 2015 (5:2).
Injury list
Neftekhimik: Emil Garipov, Mikhail Sidorov, Andrei Tikhomirov.
Barys: Michael Chaput, Ansar Shaikhmeddenov.
Milestone alert
Neftekhimik’s defenseman Maxim Goncharov may reach 100 KHL points (currently at 99).
17:00: Torpedo (11-7-1, 5th W) vs Kunlun Red Star (8-11-3, 10th W)
About the game
Torpedo is in the middle of a three-game home series and defeated HC Sochi on Thursday (4:1).
Kunlun Red Star is at its third of a four-match road trip and lost its previous couple of matches.
Torpedo’s forward Dennis Yan is on a four-game scoring streak, with 4 (1+3) points over that span.
Injury list
Torpedo: Vitaly Atanasov, Yu Sato.
Kunlun Red Star: Paris O’Brien, Ryan Sproul, Tyler Wong.
Milestone alert
Torpedo’s forward Alexei Kruchinin may reach 100 KHL assists (currently at 99).
17:00: HC Sochi (3-13-3, 11th W) vs Avtomobilist (14-6-1, 2nd E)
About the game
HC Sochi starts a three-game home series on a six-match losing streak.
Avtomobilist is at its third of a four-match road trip and lost the previous couple of games.
Injury list
HC Sochi: Artyom Fyodorov, Brendon Gormley, Joe Morrow, Sergei Popov, Nikita Zorkin.
Avtomobilist: Jesse Blacker, Arsen Khisamutdinov, Stepan Khripunov, Sergei Shirokov, Curtis Valk.
Milestone alert
Avtomobilist’s goalie Igor Bobkov may record his 30th KHL shutout.
