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Big matchday as the regular season gets closer to end!
Neftekhimik’s season has been a roller-coaster, starting with an incredible losing streak in the start of the campaign, followed by an equally incredible winning series after signing goalie Emil Garipov, who then fallen off the radars due to a long-term injury. Fast forward to late February and the Wolves still have a chance to get to the elimination stage, and not a mere chance, they are on the front line to grab the eighth post in the East. On Wednesday, Neftekhimik made a great comeback to win in overtime against Metallurg. The victory puts them three points ahead of Amur, which means that the Tigers have lost any playoff hope. Additionally, Neftekhimik now has a two-point lead over Traktor, and they only need to win today’s game against Kunlun Red Star to secure eighth place, regardless of what other teams do.
The KHL matchday however starts in Novosibirsk, with Sibir facing Salavat Yulaev facing as both teams try to secure a top-four spot in the East. Avangard is also seeking to get into top-four as the Hawks host Torpedo tonight. However, it won’t be easy, as the Igor Larionov’s young guys are seeking to return back on track after suffering two straight losses.
The action continues in Yekaterinburg, where Traktor will try to make its way towards the playoff facing Avtomobilist in a tough road match. Finnish forward Teemu Pulkkinen may celebrate 100 goals in the KHL – what would be a better moment than helping the Chelyabinsk side getting closer to the playoff? A lot will depend on Neftekhimik’s game, but Traktor must snatch a win anyways.
Emotions and high-quality game are to be expected in both Kazan and Moscow. First, Ak Bars hosts Metallurg in what may be an anticipation of a future playoff series, while CSKA welcomes Dynamo Moscow for the sixth derby between the two franchises, with the series being now 3-2 in CSKA’s favor for now.
The KHL matchday features two other games with Lokomotiv paying a visit to Kazakhstan and HC Sochi hosting Severstal after facing SKA yesterday.
12:30: Sibir (38-21-7, 3rdE) vs Salavat Yulaev (36-20-10, 4thE)
About the game
Sibir is in the middle of a three-game home series and won its previous couple of matches.
Salavat Yulaev is in the middle of a three-game road trip and defeated Avtomobilist on Friday (3:1).
Sibir has defeated Salavat Yulaev twice this season (2:1, 2:1 SO) and lost once (3:6).
Sibir’s forward Alexander Sharov is on a three-game scoring streak, with 5 (1+4) points over that span.
Sibir’s forward Valentin Pyanov is also on a three-game scoring streak, with 4 (2+2) points.
Injury list
Salavat Yulaev: Josh Ho-Sang.
Milestone alert
Salavat Yulaev’s forward Alexander Kadeikin may reach 250 points in the KHL (currently at 249).
13:00: Avangard (38-21-7, 2ndE) vs Torpedo (42-19-5, 4thW)
About the game
Avangard ends an eight-game home series and hits the home ice for the last time in this year’s regular season, coming off a three-match winning streak.
Torpedo, who has already defeated Avangard this season (4:2), starts a two-game road trip and lost its previous couple of matches.
Avangard’s forward Vladimir Tkachyov had at least an assist in each of his previous three games, totaling six helpers.
Avangard’s forward Sergei Tolchinsky is also on a three-game scoring streak, with 3 (1+2) points over that span.
Injury list
Avangard: Stanislav Galimov.
Torpedo: Alexei Kruchinin.
15:00: Avtomobilist (36-21-9, 5thE) vs Traktor (29-27-10, 9thE)
About the game
Avtomobilist ends a two-game home series and lost to Salavat Yulaev on Wednesday (1:3).
Traktor ends a three-game road trip following a victory over Dinamo Minsk on Tuesday (3:2 SO).
Traktor has defeated Avtomobilist thrice this season (4:3 OT, 4:3 SO, 2:1) and lost twice (2:3ОТ, 1:2).
Avtomobilist’s forward Anatoly Golyshev is on a four-game scoring streak, with 4 (1+3) points over that span.
Injury list
Avtomobilist: Daniil Tarasov, Alexander Shchemerov.
Milestone alert
Avtomobilist’s defenseman Jesse Blacker may reach 100 KHL points (currently at 99).
Avtomobilist’s forward Stephane Da Costa may dish out his 200thassist in the KHL (currently at 199).
Traktor’s forward Teemu Pulkkinen may net his 100thgoal in the KHL (currently at 99).
16:30: Barys (27-33-7, 11thE) vs Lokomotiv (40-17-10, 3rdW)
About the game
Barys, who has already defeated Lokomotiv this season (1:0 SO), plays the lone home game of the series, and its last for this season, being on a two-match losing streak.
Lokomotiv ends a two-game road trip and has also lost its previous couple of games. The Motormen also end their regular-season games tonight.
Barys’ forward Nikita Mikhailis is on a seven-game scoring streak, with 12 (7+5) points over that span.
Barys’ forward Linden Vey is on a three-game scoring streak, with 4 (2+2) points.
Injury list
Barys: Nelson Nogier, Yury Sergiyenko, Yegor Shalapov.
Lokomotiv: Yegor Korshkov, Mikhail Varnakov.
Milestone alert
Barys’ forward Kirill Savitsky lines up for his 100thKHL game.
Barys’ forward Nikita Mikhailis may net his 100thtally in the league (currently at 99).
Lokomotiv’s forward Yegor Averin reaches 300 KHL games tonight.
17:00: Neftekhimik (32-29-6, 8thE) vs Kunlun Red Star (21-38-7, 10thW)
About the game
Neftekhimik ends a three-game home series and plays the last game of this year’s regular season following a win over Metallurg on Wednesday (4:3 OT).
Kunlun Red Star is in the middle of a three-game road trip and lost its previous five games.
Kunlun Red Star has defeated Neftekhimik thrice this season (4:3, 7:4, 3:2 SO), but the Wolves can clinch a playoff spot should they win tonight.
Injury list
Neftekhimik: Emil Garipov, Bulat Shafigullin.
17:00: HC Sochi (9-47-10, 11thW) vs Severstal (30-23-13, 7thW)
About the game
HC Sochi is in the middle of a three-game home series and lost against SKA yesterday (5:6 OT).
Severstal ends a four-game road trip and won its previous three games.
Severstal has defeated HC Sochi thrice this season (2:1, 5:4 SO, 2:1ОТ) and its defenseman Nikita Sedov enters his 100thKHL game.
HC Sochi’s forward Artur Tyanulin is on a three-game scoring streak, with 4 (2+2) points over that span.
17:30: Ak Bars (40-17-9, 1stE) vs Metallurg (34-20-12, 6thE)
About the game
Ak Bars start a two-game home series and won its previous seven games.
Metallurg ends a three-game road trip following a two-match losing streak.
Magnitka has defeated Ak Bars thrice this season (4:1, 2:1, 4:2) and lost twice (2:3ОТ, 2:3ОТ).
Ak Bars’ goalie Amir Miftakhov is on a 69:03 shutout streak.
Ak Bars’ forward Alexander Radulov is on a four-game scoring streak, with 7 (3+4) points over that span.
Ak Bars’ forward Ilya Safonov is on a five-game scoring streak, with 7 (4+3) points.
Metallurg’s forwards Philipp Maillet and Brandon Leipsic are both on a three-game scoring streak, with 4 (1+3) points.
Injury list
Ak Bars: Nikita Yevseyev.
Milestone alert
Metallurg’s forward Anatoly Nikontsev competes in his 700thKHL game.
18:00: CSKA (42-16-8, 2ndW) vs Dynamo Moscow (37-19-10, 5thW)
About the game
CSKA plays the lone home game of the series and won its previous three matches.
Dynamo Moscow plays the lone road game of the series and defeated Vityaz on Wednesday (4:1).
CSKA has defeated Dynamo thrice this season (3:1, 3:2ОТ, 3:2 SO) and lost twice (1:2, 1:2 SO).
CSKA’s forward Konstantin Okulov is on a three-game scoring streak, with 5 (2+3) points over that span.
CSKA’s forward Mikhail Grigorenko is on a six-game scoring streak, with 9 (6+3) points.
CSKA’s forward Maxim Mamin is also on a three-game scoring streak, with 6 (2+4) points.
Injury list
CSKA: Danil Yurtaikin.
Dynamo Moscow: Sergei Boikov.
