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Kvartalnov against Ak Bars, CSKA faces Severstal in playoffs rematch!
Today the fans can expect a heated showdown between CSKA and Severstal – a sort of rematch of the 2023 Gagarin Cup playoffs’ first round, where the teams battled it out for seven games. Despite a change in head coach in Cherepovets, the young and daring Severstal is once again making a name for itself as a threat to the contending franchises. Their recent comeback against Metallurg is a testament to their resilience. Meanwhile, CSKA is getting stronger as the season progresses, making this match even more intriguing.
Moreover, at this point, these teams are neck and neck in the standings, hovering on the cusp of the top 8 in the Western Conference – who would have thought. So, in addition to the usual excitement, the game will also carry the intrigue of the tournament – the winner will solidify their position in the top eight of the Western Conference, even if just by a little.
Earlier on, Vityaz faces Torpedo. The Moscow Region team is currently on a seven-game losing streak, having achieved only one win so far – a 2:1, SO victory over Admiral almost three weeks ago. The Nizhny Novgorod side is on a much better position and will try to stretch its winning streak. The two teams have already met this year, with Torpedo achieving a 3:2 win.
In Minsk, Dinamo welcomes Ak Bars. The Belarusians are trying to climb up in the standings under their new coach Dmitry Kvartalnov, but so far, they aren’t having their best showing, while Ak Bars has won its previous three matches.
A showdown between Spartak and HC Sochi closes the KHL matchday. The two teams are showing an excellent play this season, and the Black Sea franchise has won its previous five matches. It will be an exciting game to follow as both teams will play to win. Eight teams will hit the ice tonight, with another intense day of competition.
19:00: Vityaz (1-8-1, 11th W) vs Torpedo (7-1-1, 2nd W)
About the game
Vityaz starts a two-game home series on a seven-match losing streak.
Torpedo, who has already defeated Vityaz this season (3:1), ends a two-game road trip and won its previous couple of matches.
Injury list
Vityaz: Vladimir Galuzin, Scott Wilson.
Torpedo: Sergei Goncharuk, Alexei Kruchinin.
Milestone alert
Vityaz’s goalie Maxim Dorozhko may line up for his 50th game.
19:10: Dinamo Minsk (3-5-1, 10th W) vs Ak Bars (7-2-0, 2nd E)
About the game
Dinamo Minsk is in the middle of a seven-game home series and lost to Torpedo on Sunday (3:4).
Ak Bars, who has already defeated Dinamo Minsk this season (2:1 OT), starts a two-game home series following three straight wins.
Dinamo Minsk’s forward Sam Anas is on a three-game scoring streak, with 3 (1+2) points over that span.
Injury list
Dinamo Minsk: Alexander Suvorov.
Ak Bars: Artyom Galimov, Evgeny Svechnikov, Vyacheslav Voynov.
19:30: CSKA (4-5-1, 8th W) vs Severstal (4-3-1, 9th W)
About the game
CSKA starts a five-game home series fresh off a win over Lokomotiv on Saturday (2:1).
Severstal plays the lone road game of the series following a win over Metallurg also on Saturday (5:4 SO).
Injury list
CSKA: Vsevolod Skotnikov.
Severstal: Dmitry Moiseyev, Nikita Rozhkov, Alexander Zhabreyev.
19:30: Spartak (6-3-1, 4th W) vs HC Sochi (6-3-0, 5th W)
About the game
Spartak ends a three-game home series and won its previous couple of matches.
HC Sochi starts a three-game road trip on a five-match winning streak.
Spartak’s forward Pavel Poryadin is on a five-game scoring streak, with 8 (4+4) points over that span.
Spartak’s forward Ivan Morozov is also on a five-game scoring streak, with 6 (2+4) points.
Spartak’s forward Shane Prince is on a three-game scoring streak, with 5 (4+1) points.
HC Sochi’s forward Artur Tyanulin is on a five-game scoring streak, with 6 (3+3) points.
Injury list
Spartak: German Tochilkin, Daniel Usmanov.
