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Torpedo hosts Spartak in today’s top matchup!
Today’s matchup between Torpedo and Spartak promises to be a thrilling contest as two of the KHL’s most exciting and offensive teams face off. Spartak has been on a hot streak, winning their last four games, and their top line, consisting of Ivan Morozov, Nikolai Goldobin, and Pavel Poryadin, is on fire with active scoring streaks. This trio’s chemistry is undeniable, making them a force to be reckoned with. Torpedo, on the other hand, is coming off a successful road trip, securing six out of a possible eight points. In their latest outing, they managed to edge past Severstal with a 4:3 victory. The two teams are closely matched in the standings, with Torpedo holding just a one-point advantage over Spartak. With both teams known for their attacking style and offensive prowess, this game is sure to be an action-packed showdown that fans won’t want to miss.
However, the matchday starts early in the Far East, with Amur hosting Ak Bars in their second contest in three days. Two days ago, Kazan achieved a 5:3 victory as the Tatarstan side may reach five straight wins. For Amur, Yegor Korshkov found some of his game back, but it hasn’t been enough on Thursday to defeat Ak Bars.
The other Eastern Conference game scheduled for today will see Lada hosting Admiral. Both sides have lost games lately, and one team will thus return to victory. Earlier this season, the Sailors have hosted Lada for two games in Vladivostok, winning both. The Togliatti side, however, may see the return of Maxim Shumakov.
The action moves then to the Western Conference. Other than Torpedo facing Spartak, two other games are on tap there. First, Kunlun Red Star welcomes Neftekhimik. For the Dragons, the task in this game will be to avoid their ninth consecutive loss. Kunlun is struggling to break free from a crisis, with a challenging schedule making matters worse. They currently sit second to last in the Western Conference standings. However, if they continue their losing streak, Vityaz will pose a serious threat. Neftekhimik, on the other hand, is situated at the bottom of the eastern standings with just four wins in 16 games. The absence of Nail Yakupov and Emil Garipov, who didn’t travel with the team due to injuries, further dampens their prospects.
In the closing game of the matchday, CSKA hosts Sochi. Only once did the Black Sea franchise defeat CSKA at the KHL level – in Moscow, back in 2016.
10:00: Amur (6-6-4, 9th E) vs Ak Bars (12-4-1, 2nd E)
About the game
Amur ends a four-game home series and lost to Ak Bars on Thursday (3:5).
Ak Bars, who has defeated Amur twice this season (5:1, 5:3), ends a four-game road trip and won its previous four matches.
Amur’s forward Yegor Korshkov is on a three-game scoring streak, with 4 (2+2) points over that span.
Amur’s forward Evgeny Grachyov is also on a three-game scoring streak, with 5 (3+2) points.
Ak Bars’ forward Vadim Shipachyov is on a four-game scoring streak, with 6 (2+4) points.
Injury list
Amur: Alex Broadhurst, Jan Drozg, Pyotr Khokhryakov.
Ak Bars: Timur Bilyalov, Amir Miftakhov, Evgeny Svechnikov, Vyacheslav Voynov.
Milestone alert
Ak Bars’ forward Damir Zhafyarov may reach 600 league appearances.
13:00: Torpedo (12-4-1, 2nd W) vs Spartak (11-5-2, 3rd W)
About the game
Torpedo starts a six-game home series and defeated Severstal on Wednesday (4:3).
Spartak starts a six-game road trip on a four-game winning streak.
Spartak’s forward Nikolai Goldobin is on a four-game scoring streak, with 11 (3+8) points over that span.
Spartak’s forward Pavel Poryadin is on a five-game scoring streak, with 9 (4+5) points.
Spartak’s forward Ivan Morozov is also on a five-game scoring streak, with 8 (3+5) points.
Injury list
Torpedo: Nikolai Kovalenko.
Spartak: Daniel Usmanov.
Milestone alert
Spartak’s defenseman Michal Cajkovsky may reach 100 KHL assists (currently at 99).
16:00: Lada (8-6-4, 5th E) vs Admiral (5-8-2, 11th E)
About the game
Lada starts a four-game home series following four straight losses.
Admiral, who has already defeated Lada twice this season (2:1 OT, 3:2), starts a three-game road trip and lost its previous couple of matches.
Injury list
Lada: Artyom Ivanyuzhenkov, Pavel Koltygin, Nikolai Vladimirov.
Admiral: Ilya Pastukhov.
16:00: Kunlun Red Star (6-13-1, 10th W) vs Neftekhimik (4-8-4, 12th E)
About the game
Kunlun Red Star ends a two-game home series and lost its previous eight matches.
Neftekhimik starts a two-game road trip following a loss to HC Sochi on Thursday (2:3 SO).
Injury list
Kunlun Red Star: Corey Kane, Alexander Lazushin, Austin Wong.
Milestone alert
Kunlun Red Star’s defenseman Ryan Sproul lines up for his 200th league appearance.
Kunlun Red Star’s forward Teemu Pulkkinen may score his 100th tally in the KHL (currently at 99).
17:00: CSKA (8-8-1, 7th W) vs HC Sochi (11-5-1, 4th W)
About the game
CSKA, who has already defeated HC Sochi twice this season (7:1, 3:2 OT), starts a three-game home series following a loss to Spartak on Wednesday (3:5).
HC Sochi ends a two-game road trip and defeated Neftekhimik on Thursday (3:2 SO).
CSKA’s forward Konstantin Okulov is on a six-game scoring streak, with 10 (2+8) points over that span.
Injury list
CSKA: Vsevolod Skotnikov.
Milestone alert
CSKA’s defenseman Nikita Nesterov may score his 200th point in the KHL (currently at 199).
