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Amur and Sibir battle for the eighth seed!
It will be an exciting game in Khabarovsk, with Amur and Sibir battling to dispute the eighth place in the Eastern Conference’s standings. Currently, the Tigers sit in the ninth spot with 48 points, while Sibir has three points more – but also two played games more. The Khabarovsk side looks in good shape, with three wins in its last five matches, including an OT loss to Metallurg back in December, with just one regulation loss on Jan 3 to Severstal in Cherepovets (2:4). Sibir, on its hand, had two wins only in the same period, adding OT losses to Avangard and Salavat Yulaev. This means that this game will be key for the playoff hopes of both sides – and the two sides will have a rematch in just two days. To add a further layer of intrigue to the game, Amur has already defeated Sibir this season (2:1 SO).
In the second game of the KHL matchday, the Far East will host another encounter, with Admiral welcoming Avangard. The Sailors have accumulated four straight losses as their chances to qualify to the postseason get thinner and thinner as the games go by. However, a win in today’s game, against a well-quoted opponent, may give Admiral a good boost for the upcoming matches. The two sides will also have a rematch on Jan 10.
10:00: Amur (20-18-8, 9th E) vs Sibir (21-18-9, 8th E)
About the game
Amur, who has already defeated Sibir this season (2:1 SO), starts a four-game home series fresh off a win over Dinamo Minsk on Friday (3:2 OT).
Sibir starts a four-game road trip following a loss to Salavat Yulaev also on Friday (2:3 OT).
Injury list
Amur: Alex Broadhurst, Pyotr Khokhryakov, Yakov Rylov.
10:00: Admiral (14-22-10, 12th E) vs Avangard (30-13-3, 3rd E)
About the game
Admiral starts a four-game home series on a four-match losing streak.
Avangard, who has defeated Admiral twice this season (4:3 OT, 2:1 SO), starts a four-game road trip fresh off a win over Lada on Saturday (5:3).
Avangard’s forward Ryan Spooner had three assists in his previous three games.
Injury list
Admiral: Pavel Makhanovsky.
Milestone alert
Admiral’s forward Anton Berlyov lines up for his 100th KHL game.
Avangard’s forward Valentin Pyanov may score his 200th career point (currently at 199).
