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Dynamo derby in Minsk, Sochi and Severstal at the Far East
Today’s Dynamo derby in Minsk between Dinamo Minsk and Dynamo Moscow promises an intense clash, with Dinamo Minsk striving to break free from a challenging run of form, having suffered four losses in their last five games. In contrast, Dynamo Moscow enters the match on a positive note, securing two consecutive victories. Notably, Gusev has the opportunity to climb to the fifth spot in the KHL’s all-time leading scorers list (tied with Nigel Dawes at 550 points). Dynamo Moscow currently holds the second seed in the Western Conference, while Dinamo Minsk sits in 7th place, just one point ahead of Severstal in the playoff race. In their previous encounter earlier this year, Dynamo Moscow triumphed 2:1, with defenseman Brennan Menell, a former Dinamo Minsk player, netting the game-winning goal.
Earlier in the matchday, two games are scheduled in the Far East, with Amur hosting HC Sochi and Admiral welcoming Severstal. HC Sochi lost 12 of its last 13 games – they will be on the lookout to return to victory and forget about this streak. Amur, instead, has climbed up to ninth place in the East and is just three points off the playoffs line. Severstal is also not in the best shape, having lost three consecutive times. For Admiral, two former Avangard players may have their debut with their new jersey tonight – goalie Vasily Demchenko and defenseman Libor Sulak. The Czech blueliner has already lined up for the Sailors last year, and has just returned to the Far East from the Hawks after signing in Omsk this summer. Demchenko was traded in exchange for goalie Pavel Khomchenko.
10:00: Amur (14-14-6, 9th E) vs HC Sochi (13-20-2, 10th W)
About the game
Amur, who has already defeated HC Sochi this season (3:1), enters the fourth game of a six-match home series, won its previous couple of games.
HC Sochi ends a three-game road trip and lost three straight matches.
HC Sochi’s forward Anton Sagadeyev is on a three-game scoring streak, with 3 (1+2) points over that span.
Injury list
Amur: Alex Broadhurst, Pyotr Khokhryakov, Evgeny Kulik.
10:00: Admiral (9-17-6, 12th E) vs Severstal (14-15-5, 8th W)
About the game
Admiral ends a two-game home series and defeated HC Sochi on Friday (3:1).
Severstal is in the middle of a three-game road trip and lost its previous three matches.
Severstal’s forward Kirill Pilipenko is on a six-game scoring streak, with 10 (7+3) points over that span.
Severstal’s forward Daniil Aimurzin is on a three-game scoring streak, with 4 (1+3) points.
Injury list
Severstal: Alexander Zhabreyev.
Milestone alert
Admiral’s goalie Vasily Demchenko may record his 20th league shutout.
17:10: Dinamo Minsk (15-14-4, 7th W) vs Dynamo Moscow (23-8-3, 2nd W)
About the game
Dinamo Minsk ends a two-game home series and lost to CSKA on Friday (0:4).
Dynamo Moscow, who has already defeated Dinamo Minsk this season (2:1), starts a six-game road trip on a two-match winning streak.
Dynamo Moscow’s forward Jordan Weal is on a four-game scoring streak, with 7 (1+6) points over that span.
Injury list
Dinamo Minsk: Alexander Suvorov.
Dynamo Moscow: Yegor Bryzgalov, Yegor Martynov.
Milestone alert
Dynamo Moscow’s forward Nikita Gusev may surpass Nigel Dawes to become the fifth KHL scorer ever.
