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Avangard hosts Metallurg, Kovalchuk returns on ice?
Tonight’s clash between Metallurg and Avangard promises to be a thrilling battle at the summit of the Eastern Conference. Currently tied at 57 points, Metallurg holds a precarious position with two more games played than their rivals. This marks their third encounter of the season, with the Hawks emerging victorious in both previous matchups. Avangard, enjoying the best form, holds a psychological edge, yet both teams enter the contest on the back of recent victories. The stakes are high in Omsk as each point could tip the balance in the tightly contested race for conference supremacy.
But today it’ll be exciting in Moscow as well, where Ilya Kovalchuk will have his debut for Spartak as the Red-and-Whites face Kunlun Red Star at home on the lookout for their fifth straight win. The former Olympic and Gagarin Cup champion will play his first KHL game since the 2021 triumphant playoffs with Avangard.
Another exciting battle is scheduled in the Moscow Region, where Vityaz will take on Dinamo Minsk. Both teams need points to propel their playoffs push, but the Bisons are on a much better place, with their eighth position in the Western Conference standings.
In the closing games of an emotion-packed KHL matchday, Lada welcomes Avtomobilist, while Severstal hosts Admiral. The Motormen have already defeated Lada this season, and lately their captain Sergei Shirokov has returned to strong performances and production. The Sailors, instead, didn’t have their best period, but their postseason qualification’s hopes are still alive, and they will be on the lookout for points as Admiral faces Severstal for the second time this season, with the Steelers taking the first round (5:4 SO).
14:00: Avangard (27-10-3, 2nd E) vs Metallurg (26-11-5, 1st E)
About the game
Avangard, who has defeated Metallurg twice this season (4:1, 4:3 OT), ends a seven-game home series and defeated HC Sochi on Thursday (8:3).
Metallurg starts a three-game road trip fresh off a win over Amur on Friday (4:3 OT).
Injury list
Avangard: Roman Abrosimov.
Metallurg: Nikita Kvartalnov.
14:00: Vityaz (13-24-5, 11th W) vs Dinamo Minsk (18-18-4, 8th W)
About the game
Vityaz starts a three-game home series on a six-match losing streak.
Dinamo Minsk ends a two-game road trip following a loss to Spartak on Friday (2:4).
Dinamo Minsk is up 3-1 in the season’s series (0:7, 2:3, 2:1, 1:4).
Dinamo Minsk’s forward Sam Anas and defenseman Kodie Curran are on an identical three-game scoring streak, with 3 (1+2) points over that span.
Injury list
Dinamo Minsk: Dmitry Deryabin, Vitaly Pinchuk, Alexander Suvorov.
Milestone alert
Vityaz’s goalie Dmitry Shikin may reach 10 KHL shutouts.
14:00: Spartak (28-11-4, 2nd W) vs Kunlun Red Star (15-22-5, 9th W)
About the game
Spartak ends a two-game home series on a four-match winning streak.
Kunlun Red Star plays the lone road game of the series after its loss to Traktor on Friday (2:5).
Kunlun Red Star is up 2-1 in the season’s series (3:4, 4:3, 3:5).
Spartak’s forward Pavel Poryadin had at least a goal in each of his previous four games, totaling five tallies.
Spartak’s defenseman Dmitry Vishnevsky is on a four-game scoring streak, with 5 (1+4) points over that span.
Kunlun Red Star’s forward Tyler Wong is on a four-game scoring streak, with 5 (1+4) points.
Kunlun Red Star’s forward Luke Lockhart is also on a four-game scoring streak, with 5 (4+1) points.
Kunlun Red Star’s forward Parker Foo is on a three-game scoring streak, with 5 (2+3) points.
Kunlun Red Star’s forward Colin Campbell is also on a three-game scoring streak, with 4 (1+3) points.
Injury list
Spartak: Ivan Morozov.
Kunlun Red Star: Corey Kane, Zach Yuen.
Milestone alert
Spartak’s forwards Andrei Loktionov and Pavel Poryadin may reach 100 goals in the KHL (currently both are sitting at 99).
16:30: Lada (22-12-9, 4th E) vs Avtomobilist (22-16-5, 7th E)
About the game
Lada enters the fifth game of an eight-match home series following a win over Sibir on Thursday (4:1).
Avtomobilist, who has defeated Lada already this season (3:2 OT), starts a four-game road trip fresh off a win over Ak Bars also on Thursday (2:1).
Avtomobilist’s forward Stephane Da Costa is on a three-game scoring streak, with 5 (1+4) points over that span.
Avtomobilist’s forward Sergei Shirokov is also on a three-game scoring streak, with 3 (2+1) points.
Avtomobilist’s forward Curtis Valk is on a three-game scoring streak, with 3 (2+1) points.
Injury list
Lada: Scott Kosmachuk, Danila Moiseyev, Nikita Popugayev, Nikita Vladimirov.
Avtomobilist: Denis Barantsev, Semyon Kizimov.
Milestone alert
Avtomobilist’s forward Sergei Shirokov may become the seventh all-time player to reach 500 career points in the KHL (currently at 498).
17:00: Severstal (18-16-7, 7th W) vs Admiral (13-18-9, 11th E)
About the game
Severstal, who has already defeated Admiral this season (5:4 SO), enters the second game of a four-match home series following a loss to Torpedo on Thursday (1:3).
Admiral is in the middle of a three-game road trip and defeated Salavat Yulaev on Friday (2:1 SO).
Severstal’s forward Kirill Pilipenko is on a three-game scoring streak, with 3 (1+2) points over that span.
Injury list
Severstal: Daniil Aimurzin, Dmitry Shostak.
Admiral: Pavel Makhanovsky.
Milestone alert
Severstal’s defenseman Andrei Churkin may line up for his 100th KHL game.
Severstal’s forward Nikita Korostelyov may reach 100 league points (currently at 99).
