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Top matchup in the Western Conference!
Tonight’s game between Lokomotiv and Dynamo Moscow promises high-stakes action as the top contenders in the Western Conference face off. Both teams have been in exceptional form lately, making this matchup all the more thrilling. Lokomotiv’s captain, Sergei Andronov, is on the cusp of a significant milestone, with the opportunity to notch his 100th KHL goal. Dynamo Moscow comes into the game with momentum, having recently secured a dominant 6:0 victory over Avangard. The historical rivalry between these teams adds an extra layer of excitement, with the Railwaymen holding eight wins and Dynamo not far behind with eight in their head-to-head record.
The KHL matchday starts however with two games in the East, with Traktor facing Salavat Yulaev. The Chelyabinsk squad is counting on strong goaltending by Zach Fucale and won its previous couple of matches, but Salavat Yulaev has already defeated Traktor this year.
In the meantime, Metallurg and Neftekhimik play a revenge match after Metallurg thumped the Wolves 8:3 a few days ago despite a solid performance by some of their leaders.
The action then moves to the West. Vityaz has just fired its head coach Alexander Zavyalov, and tonight they host Kunlun Red Star. The team will enter the contest with Alexei Tertyshny serving as the team’s head coach for now. The Dragons had a great start of the season, but then lost some pace, and they are currently sitting in seventh place in the West. Tonight’s game may be a good moment for returning to victory and increase the team’s chances to reach the elimination stage.
In Belarus, Dinamo Minsk hosts SKA as the teams cross their paths again after multiple clashes in the latest years’ playoffs. For Dinamo, Andrei Stas has scored in his most recent three games – a rare feat for a player appreciated for his defensive prowess – while young goalie Alexei Kolosov has just recorded his second shutout this season. SKA will also want to seek revenge after losing to HC Sochi on Monday, but has lost large-framed Stepan Falkovsky who will be sitting in injury list for a while.
In Moscow, Spartak and CSKA face Eastern rivals, Sibir and Barys, respectively. CSKA is returning to its usual positions, with two straight wins, while Spartak is struggling a bit, but may rebound back with a nice win over Sibir in today’s clash.
17:00: Traktor (7-5-2, 6th E) vs Salavat Yulaev (6-6-0, 8th E)
About the game
Traktor ends a three-game home series on a two-match winning streak.
Salavat Yulaev, who has already defeated Traktor this season (5:3), enters the second game of a four-match road trip on a two-game losing streak.
Traktor’s defenseman Vadim Antipin is on a three-game scoring streak, with 4 (1+3) points over that span.
Traktor’s forward Maxim Shabanov is also on a three-game scoring streak, with 3 (1+2) points.
Injury list
Traktor: Andrei Chibisov, Vitaly Kravtsov.
Salavat Yulaev: Alexander Komarov, Mikhail Naumenkov, Grigory Panin.
Milestone alert
Salavat Yulaev’s forward Sergei Shmelyov may score his 300th league point (currently at 299).
17:00: Metallurg (9-2-3, 1st E) vs Neftekhimik (3-7-2, 12th E)
About the game
Metallurg, who has already defeated Neftekhimik this season (8:3), enters the second game of a four-match home series on a two-game winning streak.
Neftekhimik ends a two-game road trip following its loss to Magnitka on Monday.
Neftekhimik’s forward Nail Yakupov is on a five-game scoring streak, with 7 (2+5) points over that span.
Neftekhimik’s forward Alexander Dergachyov is on a four-game scoring streak, with 5 (2+3) points.
Neftekhimik’s forward Andrei Belozyorov is on a five-game streak, with 5 (2+3) points.
Injury list
Neftekhimik: Danila Popov.
Milestone alert
Metallurg’s forward Denis Zernov may reach 100 league tallies (currently at 99).
19:00: Vityaz (2-10-1, 11th W) vs Kunlun Red Star (6-8-1, 7th W)
About the game
Vityaz starts a two-game home series following a loss to CSKA on Monday (1:9).
Kunlun Red Star plays the lone home game of the series and lost its previous three matches.
Injury list
Vityaz: Vitaly Popov, Vladislav Tsitsyura, Scott Wilson.
Kunlun Red Star: Corey Kane, Alexander Lazushin, Austin Wong.
Milestone alert
Vityaz’s goalie Dmitry Shikin may record his 10th league shutout.
19:10: Dinamo Minsk (5-5-2, 9th W) vs SKA (6-6-0, 8th W)
About the game
Dinamo Minsk enters the seventh game of an eight-match home series following a win over Barys on Monday (3:0).
SKA enters the fifth game of a six-match road trip after a loss to HC Sochi also on Monday (4:5).
Dinamo Minsk’s goalie Alexei Kolosov is on a 91:21 shutout streak.
Dinamo Minsk’s forward Andrei Stas had a goal in each of his previous three games.
Injury list
Dinamo Minsk: Ivan Sekerin, Alexander Suvorov.
SKA: Stepan Falkovsky, Johan Mattsson, Andrei Pedan.
19:30: Spartak (7-5-2, 5th W) vs Sibir (7-4-2, 5th E)
About the game
Spartak ends a two-game home series and lost its previous couple of matches.
Sibir ends a three-game road trip and lost to Traktor on Monday (1:2 OT).
Injury list
Spartak: Daniel Usmanov.
Sibir: Trevor Murphy.
19:30: CSKA (6-6-1, 6th W) vs Barys (3-6-4, 10th E)
About the game
CSKA enters the fourth game of a five-match home series on a two-game winning streak.
Barys is in the middle of a three-game road trip and lost its previous three games.
CSKA’s forward Maxim Sorkin is on a four-game scoring streak, with 6 (3+3) points over that span.
Injury list
CSKA: Vsevolod Skotnikov.
Barys: Alex Grant, Dmitry Gurkov.
Milestone alert
CSKA’s forward Prokhor Poltapov lines up for his 100th KHL game.
20:30: Dynamo Moscow (10-3-0, 2nd W) vs Lokomotiv (10-3-0, 1st W)
About the game
Dynamo Moscow starts a two-game home series on a two-match winning streak.
Lokomotiv enters the third game of a four-match road trip on a four-game winning streak.
Dynamo’s goalie Konstantin Volkov is on a 60:19 shutout streak.
Dynamo’s forward Eric O’Dell is on a three-game scoring streak, with 4 (3+1) points over that span.
Dynamo’s forward Maxim Dzhioshvili is on a four-game scoring streak, with 5 (3+2) points.
Dynamo’s defenseman Igor Ozhiganov had at least an assist in each of his previous four games, totaling seven points.
Lokomotiv’s goalie Ivan Bocharov is on a 66:41 shutout streak.
Injury list
Lokomotiv: Stepan Nikulin.
Milestone alert
Lokomotiv’s forward Sergei Andronov may net his 100th KHL goal (currently at 99).
