The KHL is back! CSKA and Ak Bars battle for Opening Cup
The sixteenth KHL season kicks off tonight with a clash between CSKA and Ak Bars. Last year’s finalists will battle for the second time in the Opening Cup history, following a 3:2, OT win by the Kazan side in 2020.
The anticipation reaches its peak as the KHL Opening Cup sets the stage for a captivating clash between CSKA and Ak Bars. In this highly anticipated showdown, following last year’s CSKA 4-3 win in the final series, CSKA stands unwavering, placing its trust in its steadfast core of players that have long defined its strength. Notably, CSKA opted against big acquisitions, focusing on the cohesion and synergy of their existing lineup.
On the opposite side, Ak Bars emerges with a dynamic strategy, having orchestrated a robust transfer campaign. The signing of Dmitrij Jaskin shines as a testament to their ambitions. Alongside him, Dmitry Zhafyarov and Evgeny Svechnikov joined the ranks, further fueling the team’s vigor.
As the sole game of the night, the clash between CSKA and Ak Bars becomes a beacon of excitement for fans who have eagerly awaited the dawn of the new season.
19:00 CSKA vs Ak Bars
About the game
The two sides enter the Opening Cup’s match with full rosters, excluding CSKA’s goalie Ivan Fedotov who is still questionable for tonight’s game between the piping of the Muscovite club. Most recently, Ak Bars has defeated Traktor 5:2 with Alex Radulov, Kirill Semyonov, and Stanislav Galiyev scoring two points for Kazan, while CSKA lost 1:3 to Spartak in the Mayor of Moscow Cup final game.
CSKA has a 2-5 record in Opening Cup games (4:3 ОТ over SKA in 2015, 2:3 Metallurg in 2016, 2:4 SKA in 2017, 1:3 Avangard in 2019, 2:3 ОТ Ak Bars in 2020, 0:4 Avangard in 2021, 6:2 Metallurg in 2022.
Ak Bars has a 2-2 record in Opening Cup games (3:2 ОТ Lokomotiv in 2009, 1:3 Ak Bars in 2010, 1:6 SKA in 2018, 3:2 ОТ CSKA in 2020).
Milestone alert
CSKA’s forward Anton Slepyshev may reach 250 points in the KHL (currently at 249).
Ak Bars’ forward Stanislav Galiyev lines up for his 400th career game.
Ak Bars’ defenseman Vyacheslav Voynov may reach 200 points in the KHL (currently at 199).
Ak Bars’ forward Vadim Shipachyov may become the first player to reach 600th KHL assists (currently at 599).
