Avtomobilist, CSKA, Torpedo may move to next round tonight

Three series may end with game six – Avtomobilist visit Magnitogorsk, CSKA travels to Cherepovets, and Torpedo faces Dynamo in Moscow.

With the KHL playoffs advancing, drama is going to get bigger and bigger with three series disputing the sixth game tonight. This means that three teams will be in a do-or-die situation and will likely give it all to avoid elimination. The temperature will be hot in an exciting KHL Sunday.

14:30: Metallurg vs Avtomobilist

Series stand

Avtomobilist is leading the series 3-2 (2:4, 3:2 2ОТ, 2:1 2ОТ, 0:4, 3:6)

About the game

Avtomobilist had a powerful start of game five, with three goals in fewer than thirteen minutes. By mid-game, the score was 5:1. Magnitka netted a couple of goals, but it was too late and the Motormen celebrated its third win in the series, putting Metallurg with its back against the wall. Curtis Valk had three points for Avtomobilist, just as Brendan Leipsic, who was on the losing side.

Avtomobilist’s forward Curtis Valk is on a five-game scoring streak, with 8 (3+5) points.

Injury list
Avtomobilist: Daniil Tarasov.

Milestone alert

Avtomobilist’s defenseman Yefim Gurkin may reach 100 KHL assists (currently at 99). 

Avtomobilist’s forward Stepan Khripunov lines up for his 300^th KHL game.

17:00: Severstal vs CSKA

Series stand
CSKA is leading the series 3-2 (2:5, 3:2 2ОТ, 5:3, 3:9, 3:4).

About the game
Severstal recovered after game four’s 3:9 loss, but it wasn’t enough as CSKA scored one more this time as well, with Anton Slepyshev netting the game-winner in the second period. The reigning champs survived a late scare, with a pair of tallies by the guests, and tonight CSKA will have a chance to finish Severstal off in game six. However, the game will be held in Cherepovets, and the Steelers will oppose as fiercely as possible.

CSKA’s forward Anton Slepyshev is on a three-game scoring streak, with 5 (4+1) points over that span.

CSKA’s forward Mikhail Grigorenko is on a five-game scoring streak, with 7 (4+3) points.

CSKA’s forward Konstantin Okulov had at least an assist in each of his previous three games, totaling four helpers.

CSKA’s forward Pavel Karnaukhov is also on a three-game scoring streak, with 3 (1+2) points.

Injury list

Severstal: Andrei Churkin, Makar Khabarov, Maxim Kolmykov.
CSKA: Danil Yurtaikin.

Milestone alert

Severstal’s defenseman Daniil Pylenkov lines up for his 200^th KHL game tonight.

17:00: Dynamo Moscow vs Torpedo

Series stand
Torpedo is leading the series 3-2 (3:1, 2:5, 3:0, 4:5 ОТ, 3:4 ОТ).

About the game
Another OT was needed to come out of the game with a winner, with Dennis Yan getting the edge for Torpedo after a nice breakout play by Nikolai Kovalenko. Yan also opened the score in the contest, tallying is first playoff goal after a mere eighty seconds. A double by Eric O’Dell wasn’t enough for the Blue-and-Whites, who will seek revenge tonight and try to force a game seven in Nizhny Novgorod.

Dynamo Moscow’s forward Eric O’Dell is on a three-game scoring streak, with 6 (4+2) points over that span.

Injury list
Torpedo: Igor Larionov.

Dynamo Moscow: Sergei Boikov.

Milestone alert

Dynamo Moscow’s forward Eric O’Dell may score his 200^th KHL point (currently at 198).