KHL press office
exclusive for khl.ru
18 teams to have opener tonight!
Today marks a momentous occasion in the KHL, as the league kicks off its first big matchday of the season. The hockey fervor is set to sweep across eight league cities, each hosting thrilling games that promise excitement and competition. From the passionate fans in Omsk to the hockey heartland of Cherepovets, and the vibrant metropolis atmosphere of the Russian capital, the KHL’s reach spans diverse locations.
Beyond Russia’s borders, Astana in Kazakhstan proudly welcomes an international audience, while Yekaterinburg, Togliatti, Cherepovets, and Balashikha also gear up to witness electrifying matchups.
The matchday starts with an exciting Siberian derby between Avangard and Sibir. Omsk, the host city, is abuzz with excitement, and a sold-out crowd is expected to pack the arena.
But the excitement doesn’t stop there. Over in Moscow, Dynamo faces off against SKA in a game that promises to be a true spectacle. With two of the league’s heavyweights locking horns, fans can expect a thrilling showdown. Moreover, Lada has its first game in the league since its return when they host Traktor Chelyabinsk. Another exciting faceoff is on the Urals – Avtomobilist hosts Metallurg with the latter going through profound renovations this summer, and it will be interesting to see how the first test goes. Other teams to have their opener are Barys facing Salavat Yulaev, Spartak welcoming Kunlun Red Star, Severstal hosting HC Sochi, and Neftekhimik entertaining Dinamo Minsk.
As the KHL’s first big matchday unfolds, fans across the league’s cities are in for a treat, with high-octane hockey and intense rivalries lighting up the ice.
14:00 Avangard vs Sibir
About the game
Avangard lost some key pieces this summer, while Sibir has strengthened its lineup right before the start of the new season signing top center Nikolai Prokhorkin. A sold-out crowd is expected in Omsk.
Milestone alert
Sibir’s defenseman Trevor Murphy lines up for his 200th KHL game.
His new teammate, forward Nikolai Prokhorkin, may reach 150 KHL assists (currently at 148).
14:00 Barys vs Salavat Yulaev
About the game
Barys had mixed results in the offseason, while Salavat Yulaev has also had a last-minute signing like Sibir, when they traded for SKA’s blueliner Nikita Zorkin. Will Barys be able to sustain the departure of its leader and fan favorite Nikita Mikhailis, who moved to Magnitogorsk in the offseason?
14:00 Spartak vs Kunlun Red Star
About the game
Spartak had a good summer, culminating with the victory of the Mayor of Moscow Cup over CSKA, but then they traded their leader Alexander Khokhlachyov to Amur. Kunlun Red Star will play out another season in Mytishchi, and will try to return to postseason hockey.
15:00 Avtomobilist vs Metallurg
About the game
Metallurg has changed its head coach this summer, signing Andrei Razin off Severstal. They have also signed many new players, and it will be interesting to see how the team will fare in its first official game of the season. Avtomobilist, however, will naturally try to claim the victory.
Injury list
Avtomobilist: Nick Ebert.
Milestone alert
Avtomobilist’s defenseman Yefim Gurkin may reach his 100th KHL assist (currently at 99).
Avtomobilist’s forward Alexei Byvaltsev and Metallurg’s forward Denis Zernov may score their 200th career point (both are currently at 199).
Metallurg’s forward Nikita Mikhailis may net his 100th tally in the KHL (currently at 99).
16:00 Lada vs Traktor
About the game
Lada returns to the KHL after playing its latest game in the league back in the 2017-2018 season. Traktor has also assembled a renewed team, and it will be a nice battle in Togliatti for the first game of the new year.
Milestone alert
Lada’s forward Dmitry Kugryshev may reach 200 KHL assists (currently at 198).
17:00 Severstal vs HC Sochi
About the game
Both teams have changed their head coach – in particular, Severstal has appointed Andrei Kozyrev as Andrei Razin moved to Magnitogorsk.
Milestone alert
HC Sochi’s goalie Maxim Tretyak may line up for his 100th career game, while his teammate, forward Andrei Rasskazov may reach the 400-game mark.
17:00 Vityaz vs Amur
About the game
Amur has completed one of the most exciting moves of the summer, signing Alexander Khokhlachyov off Spartak. The Far East team has assembled an interesting mix of players, and it will be interesting to see their first game – Amur has also a new head coach, having signed Andrei Martemyanov.
Injury list
Amur: Igor Bobkov, Anatoly Nikontsev.
17:00 Dynamo Moscow vs SKA
About the game
One of the most-awaited games of the matchday. Both teams had important signings in the offseason, with Dynamo Moscow acquiring, among the others, Nikita Gusev and Igor Ozhiganov, and SKA signing players like Arseny Gritsyuk and Sergei Tolchinsky. It will be a real battle in Moscow.
Milestone alert
Dynamo Moscow’s goalie Ilya Konovalov may record his 20th shutout in the KHL.
Dynamo Moscow’s forward Eric O’Dell may reach 200 KHL points (currently at 199).
SKA’s forward Mikhail Vorobyov may score his 100th point in the league (currently at 99).
17:30 Neftekhimik vs Dinamo Minsk
About the game
Neftekhimik enters the game with a renewed lineup, with Nail Yakupov replacing Pavel Poryadin, and several other moves, including Lukas Klok’s return. Dinamo Minsk has also lost some important pieces of their puzzle, like Ryan Spooner, but their new coach, Dmitry Kvartalnov, knows how to get younger players progressing. Moreover, the Belarusians have just signed Madison Bowie, former Stanley Cup champion in 2018 with the Washington Capitals.
Milestone alert
Neftekhimik’s goalie Andrei Tikhomirov may line up for his 150th KHL game.
