Game two in Kazan!

The hosts got the early lead with a tally by Artyom Lukoyanov on a shorthand spell as CSKA had to catch up for the whole game. Top scorer Mikhail Grigorenko tied things up short after, but Stanislav Galiyev netted the game-winner in the middle frame. Dmitry Voronkov and Kirill Panyukov also scored for Ak Bars as the Muscovites lost the opening game of the series for the first time this season.

19:00: Ak Bars vs CSKA

Series stand
Ak Bars is leading the series 1-0 (4:1).

About the game

Ak Bars was perfectly ready to face CSKA as they took the first game on home soil – now the pressure is on the Muscovites to finally equalize in game two before the series returns to the capital. However, it won’t be easy – Kazan looked very good and ready to face CSKA’s strong points, and their top players delivered. In addition, Timur Bilyalov made 35 saves between the pipes, while Adam Reideborn had a rather poor night, saving only 85.7% of the hosts’ shots – in this postseason, he showed that he can do much better.

Injury list

CSKA: Danil Yurtaikin.

Milestone alert

Ak Bars’ defenseman Vyacheslav Voynov may reach 200 KHL points (currently at 199).

Ak Bars’ forwards Vadim Shipachyov and Dmitry Kagarlitsky are in the run to reach an assist milestone, with Shipachyov getting close to 600 (currently at 598), and the latter seeking his 300^th (currently at 299).

CSKA’s forward Maxim Mamin enters his 100^th postseason game tonight.

CSKA’s forward Anton Slepyshev and defenseman Nikita Nesterov may reach 50 points in the KHL playoffs (both are currently at 49).