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Dynamo Moscow hosts Torpedo in West’s top matchup!
Tonight’s clash between Torpedo and Dynamo Moscow promises to be a thrilling showdown, with both teams perched near the summit of the Western Conference standings. The absence of key players adds an element of uncertainty, with Dynamo’s Eric O'Dell serving a two-game suspension and Torpedo missing Nikolai Kovalenko, sidelined due to injury. This matchup marks the first meeting of the two teams this season, and it carries the echoes of last year’s playoffs, where Torpedo emerged victorious, clinching the series 4-2. As they renew their rivalry, fans eagerly await to see which team will assert its dominance in the current season.
The KHL matchday starts with the second encounter this season between Kunlun Red Star and Spartak. The first time, the Dragons prevailed – it was Spartak’s home opener for the season. However, today it will most likely be another story; the Red-and-Whites are in good shape and determined to climb up the standings, while Kunlun is on a slump, with five straight losses.
In the lone Eastern Conference’s game of the day, Avangard hosts Traktor. The Chelyabinsk squad will miss some key figures, and it won’t be easy to prevail over the Hawks, who will also count on a packed arena. Moreover, Traktor has recently fired its head coach Anvar Gatiyatullin, who will be replaced by Alexei Zavarukhin on the bench as acting coach.
Another showdown between Severstal and HC Sochi closes the matchday. Just two days ago, the Black Sea franchise secured a victory over the Steelmen (4:3), marking their third win in the regular season (previously 5:4 OT, 5:3). Severstal has one victory against Sochi (6:3). It’s noteworthy that Sochi’s latest success marks their 10th win in 14 games this season – they only achieved 11 Ws in the entire 2022-2023 campaign. Fireworks are to be expected; the teams have played open, offensive hockey in all of their clashes.
13:00: Kunlun Red Star (6-10-1, 9th W) vs Spartak (8-5-2, 5th W)
About the game
Kunlun Red Star, who has already defeated Spartak this season (4:3), ends a two-game home series on a five-game losing streak.
Spartak plays the lone road game of the series and defeated Sibir on Wednesday (5:2).
Kunlun Red Star Devon Brosseau has scored a goal in each of his previous four games.
Injury list
Kunlun Red Star: Corey Kane, Alexander Lazushin, Austin Wong.
Spartak: Daniel Usmanov.
14:00: Avangard (7-4-2, 6th E) vs Traktor (7-6-2, 7th E)
About the game
Avangard starts a four-game home series after a loss to Ak bars on Thursday (4:5 OT).
Traktor starts a four-game road trip following a loss to Salavat Yulaev on Wednesday (0:4).
Injury list
Avangard: Ivan Telegin.
Traktor: Andrei Chibisov, Semyon Der-Arguchintsev, Vitaly Kravtsov.
Milestone alert
Avangard’s goalie Vasily Demchenko may reach 20 shutouts in the KHL.
17:00: HC Sochi (10-4-0, 3rd W) vs Severstal (6-6-1, 9th W)
About the game
HC Sochi enters the third game of a four-match home series on a three-game winning streak.
Severstal enters the third game of a four-match road trip following a loss to HC Sochi on Thursday (3:4).
HC Sochi won three times against Severstal this season (5:4 OT, 5:3, 4:3) and lost once (3:6).
HC Sochi’s forward Artur Tyanulin had at least an assist in each of his previous three games, totaling six points.
HC Sochi’s forward Matvei Michkov is also on a three-game scoring streak, with 6 (3+3) points over that span.
HC Sochi’s Kirill Rasskazov had a goal in each of his previous three games.
Injury list
Severstal: Nikita Rozhkov, Yegor Stepanov, Daniil Vovchenko.
17:00: Dynamo Moscow (10-4-0, 4th W) vs Torpedo 10-3-1, 2nd W)
About the game
Dynamo Moscow ends a two-game home series following a loss to Lokomotiv on Wednesday (2:4).
Torpedo enters the second game of a four-match road trip following a victory over Kunlun Red Star (4:2).
Dynamo Moscow’s forward Nikita Gusev is on a three-game scoring streak, with 4 (2+2) points over that span.
Injury list
Torpedo: Nikolai Kovalenko.
Disqualifications
Dynamo Moscow’s forward Eric O’Dell serves a two-game suspension following his GM penalty on Wednesday’s game against Lokomotiv.
