CSKA and SKA face off for the fifth time tonight!
The stage is set for an intense matchup tonight as CSKA welcomes SKA for their fifth clash of the season. The teams traded wins so far, with the St. Petersburg franchise – who has just clinched a playoffs spot – taking the first two games and the Muscovites winning two straight to tie things up. SKA currently sits at the top of the Western Conference standings, while CSKA is hot on their heels in second place.
This game is particularly significant because of the teams’ history of competition. Over the course of 101 games, SKA has come out on top in 52 of them, but CSKA has proven that they are a formidable opponent and cannot be underestimated. In the teams’ most recent meeting on Dec 28th, CSKA was able to secure a 3:1 victory with a double by Konstantin Okulov.
Both teams have been in top form leading up to tonight’s game and it’s sure to be an exciting and closely contested match. SKA will be looking to maintain their lead in the standings, while CSKA will be fighting to close the gap. With both teams at the top of their game, it’s hard to predict a winner, but one thing is certain, it will be a thrilling game to watch.
In the meantime, a bit earlier, Lokomotiv visit the Moscow Region with a road game against Kunlun Red Star, while Torpedo hosts Dynamo Moscow as only three points separate three of these teams, with the Dragons being lower in the Western standings.
Then, in Belarus, emotions are expected to be through the roof, with Dinamo Minsk hosting Severstal. Both teams have 51 points in the standings – with Minsk having played once more – and this contest will be of upmost importance for both teams’ playoffs hope.
Finally, Spartak hosts Avtomobilist. The Motormen lost again after gathering their first 2023 win, and will looking forward to stay on top of the Eastern standings.
19:00: Kunlun Red Star (18-29-5, 10th W) vs Lokomotiv (30-15-7, 4th W)
About the game
Kunlun Red Star starts a five-game home series after a loss to Spartak on Sunday (2:3).
Lokomotiv starts a two-game road trip and lost to Dynamo Moscow also on Sunday (0:2).
The Dragons have defeated Lokomotiv twice this season (3:2 SO, 1:0), and lost once (2:4).
Kunlun Red Star’s goalie Matt Jurusik is on a 71:10 shutout streak.
Kunlun Red Star’s defenseman Jack Chelios is on a five-game scoring streak, with 7 (1+6) points over that span.
Kunlun Red Star’s defenseman Matt LoVerde had an assist in each of his previous three games.
Injury list
Kunlun Red Star: Paris O’Brien.
Lokomotiv: Yegor Averin, Artur Kayumov, Yegor Korshkov.
Milestone alert
Lokomotiv’s forward Nikita Beryozkin lines up for his 100th KHL game.
19:00: Torpedo (32-14-4, 3rd W) vs Dynamo Moscow (29-14-8, 5th W)
About the game
Torpedo starts a four-game home series coming off a win over HC Sochi on Thursday (3:2 OT).
Dynamo Moscow ends a three-game road trip and defeated Dynamo Moscow on Sunday (2:0).
Torpedo has defeated Dynamo Moscow twice this season (3:0, 3:1), and lost once (2:4).
Torpedo’s forward Alexei Kruchinin is on a three-game scoring streak, with 4 (1+3) points over that span.
Torpedo’s forward Dennis Yan is on an eight-game scoring streak, with 11 (3+8) points.
Torpedo’s defenseman Mikhail Orlov is on a four-game scoring streak, with 4 (2+2) points.
Dynamo Moscow’s goalie Ilya Konovalov is on a 70:58 shutout streak.
Injury list
Torpedo: Kenny Agostino, Alexander Daryin, Kirill Urakov.
Dynamo Moscow: Eric O’Dell, Alexander Skorenov.
19:10: Dinamo Minsk (20-21-11, 9th W) vs Severstal (20-20-11, 8th W)
About the game
Dinamo Minsk enters the final game of a four-match home series fresh off a win over Avtomobilist on Sunday (3:2 OT).
Severstal ends a two-game road trip and lost its previous couple of matches.
Severstal has recorded three wins over Dinamo Minsk this season (5:2, 4:3, 4:0) and lost once (2:3).
Injury list
Dinamo Minsk: Artyom Demkov, Denis Mosalyov.
Severstal: Mikhail Tikhonov.
19:30: Spartak (23-22-7, 7th W) vs Avtomobilist (29-13-8, 1st E)
About the game
Spartak enters the third game of a six-match home series fresh off a win over Kunlun Red Star on Sunday (3:2).
Avtomobilist, who has already defeated Spartak this season, is in the middle of a three-game road trip and lost to Dinamo Minsk also on Sunday (2:3 OT).
Spartak’s forward Alexander Khokhlachyov is on a three-game scoring streak, with 4 (1+3) points over that span.
Injury list
Spartak: Yegor Chezganov, Danila Kvartalnov, Kirill Kozhevnikov.
Avtomobilist: Brooks Macek.
19:30: CSKA (33-12-5, 2nd W) vs SKA (40-8-4, 1st W)
About the game
CSKA ends a two-game home series and won its previous couple of matches.
SKA starts a three-game road trip coming off a four-match winning streak.
The teams have traded wins this season so far (2:1, 3:1, 2:3 OT, 2:6)
CSKA’s forward Nikita Nesterov is on a four-game scoring streak, with 5 (2+3) points over that span.
CSKA’s forward Anton Slepyshev is on a three-game scoring streak, with 3 (2+1) points.
SKA’s defenseman Alexander Nikishin had at least an assist in each of his previous three games, totaling five helpers.
SKA’s forward Nikita Gusev is on a four-game scoring streak, with 5 (3+2) points.
SKA’s goalie Dmitry Nikolayev is on a 79:55 shutout streak.
Injury list
CSKA: Danil Yurtaikin.
SKA: Evgeny Ketov, Danila Moiseyev, Roman Rukavishnikov, Artyom Shvets-Rogovoi, Vladislav Tsitsyura.
Milestone alert
CSKA’s forward Sergei Plotnikov may reach 450 KHL points (currently at 449).
CSKA’s forward Konstantin Okulov may score his 300th point (currently at 299).
