KHL press office
exclusive for khl.ru
Magnitka and Salavat Yulaev face off again!
In tonight’s game between Metallurg and Salavat Yulaev, anticipation runs high as the teams face off for the fourth time this season. The previous encounter just two days ago saw Metallurg’s young gun Nikita Grebyonkin shine with a remarkable hat-trick, contributing to their convincing 6:3 victory. Salavat Yulaev struggled with penalties, which proved costly. As a result, Metallurg currently sits atop the Eastern Conference standings, while Salavat Yulaev occupies the eighth spot. With Metallurg claiming victory in all three prior matchups this season, Salavat Yulaev aims to turn the tide and make a statement. It’s a clash between two teams with much to prove in this exciting showdown.
The KHL matchday, however, starts with two showdowns in the Far East. Amur hosts Lada, while Admiral welcomes Ak Bars. Both the Tigers and Lada lost their last couple of matches, thus they will be determined to win. With that being said, Lada doesn’t collect a win in Khabarovsk since 2009.
In Vladivostok, the Sailors will try to get their revenge after last year’s playoffs series, won 4-2 by Kazan; Admiral is struggling this year, but they won their last couple of games, and they are trying to build some momentum. Young forwards Prokhor Korbit and Daniil Gutik have been very productive for Admiral so far, so expect them causing problems to Kazan’s defense.
In Sunday’s last game, Neftekhimik hosts Avtomobilist. The Wolves managed to record a victory against the Motormen this season, yet they are on the bottom of the Eastern Conference and are having a hard time in climbing up. Newcomer Nikita Setdikov had a strong start in his new team, but it may be not enough to defeat one of the best-equipped squads in the East.
10:00: Amur (4-5-4, 10th E) vs Lada (8-4-4, 3rd E)
About the game
Amur starts a four-game home series on a two-match losing streak.
Lada, who has already defeated Amur this season (5:1), enters the third game of a four-match road trip following two straight losses.
Lada’s most recent win in Khabarovsk is dated Jan 19, 2009.
Injury list
Amur: Alex Broadhurst, Jan Drozg.
Lada: Artyom Ivanyuzhenkov, Pavel Koltygin, Sergei Shumakov, Nikolai Vladimirov.
Milestone alert
Lada’s forward Dmitry Kugryshev may reach 350 KHL points (currently at 348).
10:00: Admiral (5-6-2, 9th E) vs Ak Bars (9-4-1, 4th E)
About the game
Admiral enters the third game of a four-match home series following two consecutive wins.
Ak Bars starts a four-game road trip fresh off a win over Avangard on Thursday (5:4 OT).
Injury list
Admiral: Ilya Pastukhov.
Ak Bars: Timur Bilyalov, Evgeny Svechnikov, Vyacheslav Voynov.
Milestone alert
Ak Bars’ forward Dmitry Kagarlitsky lines up for his 700th KHL game.
14:30: Metallurg (11-2-3, 1st E) vs Salavat Yulaev (7-7-0, 8th E)
About the game
Metallurg ends a four-game home series and won its previous four matches.
Salavat Yulaev ends a four-game road trip and lost to Metallurg on Friday (3:6).
Metallurg has defeated Salavat Yulaev three times this season (2:1, 1:0, 6:3).
Metallurg’s forward Danila Yurov is on a three-fame scoring streak, with 4 (1+3) points over that span.
Injury list
Salavat Yulaev: Alexander Komarov, Mikhail Naumenkov, Grigory Panin.
Milestone alert
Metallurg’s forward Denis Zernov may reach 100 KHL goals (currently at 99).
Salavat Yulaev’s forward Sergei Shmelyov may reach the 300-point mark in the league (currently at 299).
17:00: Neftekhimik (3-8-2, 12th E) vs Avtomobilist (9-4-2, 3rd E)
About the game
Neftekhimik starts a three-game home series following two straight losses.
Avtomobilist is in the middle of a three-game road trip and won its previous three matches.
Both teams have achieved a win in this season matchups (1:0, 2:4).
Neftekhimik’s forward Nikita Setdikov is on a three-game scoring streak, with 3 (2+1) points over that span.
Avtomobilist’s forward Brooks Macek scored a goal in each of his previous three games.
Avtomobilist’s goalie Vladimir Galkin is on a 73:30 shutout streak.
Injury list
Avtomobilist: Denis Barantsev, Nikita Blednov, Maxim Denezhkin, Nick Ebert, Semyon Kizimov, Curtis Valk.
Milestone alert
Avtomobilist’s goalie Evgeny Alikin may reach 20 KHL shutouts.
