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Third Moscow Derby between CSKA and Dynamo!
The two Muscovite teams will face today for the third time this season, with the first couple of encounters being taken by Dynamo.
In today’s highlight game of the matchday, CSKA and Dynamo Moscow clash for the third time this year, setting the stage for a riveting battle on the ice. The Blue-and-Whites enter the contest with confidence, having secured victories in the previous two encounters between the sides, both ending with a commanding 4:1 scoreline. The last showdown on Dec 19 showcased the dynamic duo of Nikita Gusev and Brennan Menell, who combined for three crucial points in Dynamo’s win. Despite CSKA’s recent impressive form, boasting four consecutive wins, they find themselves in the sixth position in the Western Conference. Dynamo Moscow, on the other hand, is currently on the second spot, tied with Lokomotiv at 68 points, making this matchup a crucial battle for standings.
Earlier in the Eastern Conference, Metallurg takes on HC Sochi. The two sides are at the opposite side of the spectrum: Magnitka won its previous couple of matches, and is topping the East standings, while HC Sochi sits at the bottom of the Western Conference’s standings with nothing short of fourteen consecutive losses.
Then, Lada hosts Lokomotiv as the KHL newcomer tries to return to victory. Lada has recovered import forward Scott Kosmachuk, but lost its previous four matches, and slipped down to seventh place in the standings.
A showdown between Dinamo Minsk and Torpedo will close a light KHL Thursday, with just four matches on tap. Forward Sam Anas has just established a record for the Bisons, scoring points in ten straight games, and it will be interesting to see if he’ll be able to repat himself tonight.
17:00: Metallurg (32-16-6, 1st E) vs HC Sochi (14-30-6, 11th E)
About the game
Metallurg, who has defeated HC Sochi earlier this season (3:2 OT), ends a two-game home series and won its previous couple of matches.
HC Sochi ends a three-game road trip and lost its previous fourteen matches. Its last win in Magnitogorsk is dated back to Jan 11, 2017 (5:3).
Injury list
Metallurg: Danila Kvartalnov.
HC Sochi: Timur Khafizov, Kirill Rasskazov, Anton Sagadeyev, Maxim Tretyak.
Milestone alert
HC Sochi’s defenseman Danila Galenyuk lines up for his 200th league appearance.
18:00: Lada (24-16-10, 7th E) vs Lokomotiv (32-12-4, 1st W)
About the game
Lada ends a two-game home series on a four-match losing streak.
Lokomotiv, who has already defeated Lada this season (2:1 OT), ends a four-game road trip following a loss to Metallurg on Tuesday (3:5).
Lokomotiv’s forward Artur Kayumov is on a three-game scoring streak, with 4 (1+3) points over that span.
Injury list
Lada: Danila Moiseyev, Alexei Ozhgikhin, Nikita Popugayev, Nikolai Vladimirov.
Lokomotiv: Yegor Averin, Nikita Cherepanov.
Milestone alert
Lokomotiv’s forward Ivan Chekhovich lines up for his 200th KHL game.
Lokomotiv’s goalie Ivan Bocharov may record his 30th KHL shutout.
19:00: CSKA (26-18-4, 6th W) vs Dynamo Moscow (32-13-4, 2nd W)
About the game
CSKA ends a seven-game home series on a four-match winning streak.
Dynamo Moscow, who has defeated CSKA twice this season (4:1, 4:1), plays the lone road game of the series and won its previous three matches.
CSKA’s forward Mikhail Grigorenko is on a four-game scoring streak, with 7 (3+4) points over that span.
CSKA’s defenseman Nikita Nesterov is on a three-game scoring streak, with 3 (1+2) points.
CSKA’s forward Vladislav Kamenev is on a four-game scoring streak, with 7 (2+5) points.
Dynamo Moscow’s forward Nikita Gusev is on a three-game scoring streak, with 10 (2+8) points.
Dynamo Moscow’s forward Eric O’Dell is also on a three-game scoring streak, with 5 (3+2) points.
Dynamo Moscow’s defenseman Brennan Menell is on a four-game scoring streak, with 4 (1+3) points.
Dynamo Moscow’s forward Cedric Paquette had a goal in each of his previous three games.
Injury list
Dynamo Moscow: Maxim Dzhioshvili.
19:10: Dinamo Minsk (21-21-5, 8th W) vs Torpedo (28-17-3, 5th W)
About the game
Dinamo Minsk enters the second game of a five-match home series on a two-game winning streak.
Torpedo is in the middle of a three-game road trip and lost its previous couple of matches.
The season series between the two teams is 1-2 (4:6, 3:4, 5:2).
Dinamo Minsk’s forward Sam Anas is on a ten-game scoring streak, with 15 (4+11) points over that span.
Injury list
Dinamo Minsk: Vitaly Pinchuk, Brett Ritchie, Alexander Suvorov.
Torpedo: Vasily Atanasov, Nikolai Kovalenko.
