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Spartak faces SKA, Torpedo visits Dynamo Moscow
Today’s game between SKA and Spartak promises intense action as the St. Petersburg franchise enters with a formidable six-game winning streak. Despite SKA’s recent success, Spartak suffered a setback with a loss to Lokomotiv on Tuesday. The Red-and-Whites currently leads the Western Conference standings, holding a strong position at the top, while SKA sits in 5th place. The two teams have met twice this season, with Spartak emerging victorious on both occasions. However, Spartak will be without the influential Ivan Morozov, sidelined with an injury possibly until January. This absence could be a significant factor in the game, altering the dynamics for both teams. Fans can anticipate a competitive clash as SKA aims to break Spartak’s hold and continue their own winning streak.
However, there will be plenty of emotions in other games as well. In Magnitogorsk, another South Ural derby takes place today. Historically in the KHL, the advantage has been on the side of Magnitka (42 wins against 27), but this season the Chelyabinsk side has slightly improved its record – Traktor secured two victories at the end of October (4:2 away and 5:1 at home), and defeated Magnitka three times in the current season. In Moscow, continuing their series, Dynamo hosts Torpedo on its home ice. Since the last playoffs, the rivalry between Moscow and Nizhny Novgorod has reached a completely new level. Interestingly, despite Dynamo holding a higher position in the standings, both matches this season have been won by Torpedo. In October, the Nizhny Novgorod side had a commanding away victory (7:1), and last Saturday, Torpedo secured another victory on their ice, albeit not as convincingly (3:1). The hero of these matches was Vasily Atanasov (a hat-trick in the first match and a goal in the second). Can Dynamo stop the unleashed young forward and take revenge against Igor Larionov’s gang?
Earlier on, in Kazakhstan, Barys welcomes Neftekhimik as both sides are fighting for a playoff spot. While Neftekhimik is on a better position right now, Barys twice defeated the Wolves this year, and they will be on the lookout for a third win. Then, Salavat Yulaev hosts Avangard. The Hawks are flying high on a ten-game winning streak, and they have already defeated the Ufa team.
In the Western Conference, while Dynamo faces Torpedo, Lokomotiv welcomes Lada. The KHL newcomer is one of the sensations of the year, as they are in third position in the East. The Railwaymen also sit in the third position, but in the West, as the game can easily go either way. A showdown between Kunlun Red Star and Ak Bars closes an exciting KHL matchday. The Kazan team isn’t living its best moment – a win in Mytishchi may help the team building a new streak.
16:30: Barys (9-18-7, 11th E) vs Neftekhimik (14-14-5, 9th E)
About the game
Barys, who has already defeated Neftekhimik twice this season (8:0, 6:5 OT), starts a three-game home series on a three-match losing streak.
Neftekhimik starts a two-game road trip following a win over Salavat Yulaev on Tuesday (3:2).
Neftekhimik’s forward Vladimir Bryukvin is on a three-game scoring streak, with 3 (2+1) points over that span.
Injury list
Barys: Samyat Daniyar, Alex Grant.
Neftekhimik: Emil Garipov.
Milestone alert
Neftekhimik’s forward Andrei Belozyorov lines up for his 100th KHL game.
17:00: Metallurg (22-8-4, 1st E) vs Traktor (18-11-4, 5th E)
About the game
Metallurg enters the third game of a four-match home series on an eight-game winning streak.
Traktor, who has defeated Metallurg three times this season (2:1, 4:2, 5:1), starts a two-game road trip and lost to Avangard on Tuesday (1:2 OT).
Metallurg’s goalie Ilya Nabokov is on a 98:27 shutout streak.
Traktor’s forward Maxim Shabanov is on a thirteen-game scoring streak, with 18 (9+9) points over that span.
Traktor’s forward Vladimir Tkachyov is on a four-game scoring streak, with 5 (2+3) points.
Injury list
Metallurg: Grigory Dronov, Nikita Kvartalnov.
Traktor: Vladimir Antipin, Andrei Chibisov, Sergei Mylnikov, Vladimir Zharkov.
17:00: Salavat Yulaev (19-13-1, 7th E) vs Avangard (22-8-3, 2nd E)
About the game
Salavat Yulaev starts a four-game home series following a loss to Neftekhimik on Tuesday (2:3).
Avangard, who has already defeated Salavat Yulaev this season (1:0), ends a three-game road trip on a ten-match winning streak.
Salavat Yulaev’s goalie Alexander Samonov is on a 95:58 shutout streak.
Salavat Yulaev’s forward Alexander Chmelevsky is on a three-game scoring streak, with 3 (2+1) points over that span.
Salavat Yulaev’s forward Danil Alalykin is on a five-game scoring streak, with 6 (1+5) points.
Avangard’s forward Vladimir Tkachyov is on an eleven-game scoring streak, with 23 (6+17) points.
Injury list
Salavat Yulaev: Artyom Pimenov, Sergei Shmelyov.
19:00: Lokomotiv (20-10-2, 3rd W) vs Lada (19-9-6, 3rd E)
About the game
Lokomotiv ends a four-game home series following a win over Spartak on Tuesday (2:1).
Lada starts a five-game road trip fresh off a win over Dinamo Minsk on Monday (3:1).
Lokomotiv’s forward Sergei Andronov is on a four-game scoring streak, with 6 (1+5) points over that span.
Lada’s forward Ostap Safin is on a six-game scoring streak, with 8 (2+6) points.
Lada’s forward Sergei Kugryshev is on a five-game scoring streak, with 5 (4+1) points.
Injury list
Lokomotiv: Yegor Averin, Yaroslav Likhachyov.
Lada: Pavel Koltygin, Scott Kosmachuk, Danila Moiseyev, Nikita Popugayev, Nikolai Vladimirov.
Milestone alert
Lokomotiv’s goalie Ivan Bocharov may record his 30th KHL shutout.
19:30: Dynamo Moscow (22-8-3, 2nd W) vs Torpedo (20-11-2, 4th W)
About the game
Dynamo Moscow ends a two-game home series following a win over Ak Bars on Tuesday (4:1).
Torpedo, who has defeated Dynamo Moscow twice this season (7:1, 3:1), starts a three-game road trip on a two-match winning streak.
Dynamo Moscow’s forward Jordan Weal is on a three-game scoring streak, with 4 (1+3) points over that span.
Injury list
Dynamo Moscow: Yegor Bryzgalov, Yegor Martynov.
Torpedo: Nikita Artamonov, Kirill Kirsanov, Igor Larionov, Yu Sato.
Milestone alert
Dynamo Moscow’s forward Nikita Gusev may score his 550th league point (currently at 548).
19:30: Kunlun Red Star (11-20-5, 10th W) vs Ak Bars (19-12-2, 4th E)
About the game
Kunlun Red Star ends a two-game home series following a win over Sibir on Saturday (3:2 OT).
Ak Bars, who has already defeated the Dragons this season (5:1), is in the middle of a three-game road trip and lost its previous couple of matches.
Kunlun Red Star’s forward Tyler Wong is on a three-game scoring streak, with 5 (4+1) points over that span.
Injury list
Kunlun Red Star: Corey Kane, Zach Yuen.
Ak Bars: Dmitry Bykov, Amir Miftakhov, Semyon Terekhov.
19:30: SKA (19-13-0, 5th W) vs Spartak (23-8-3, 1st W)
About the game
SKA enters the second game of a five-match home series on a six-game winning streak.
Spartak, who has already defeated SKA twice (3:0, 3:2), enters the second game of a six-match road trip following a loss to Lokomotiv on Tuesday (1:2).
SKA’s forward Vadim Alistrov is on a four-game scoring streak, with 6 (1+5) points over that span.
Spartak’s forward Maxim Tsyplakov had at least a goal in each of his previous four games, totaling six tallies.
Injury list
SKA: Brendan Leipsic, Andrei Pedan, Artyom Zemchyonok.
Spartak: Ivan Morozov.
