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Sibir and Neftekhimik clash again in a key game!
Neftekhimik today will travel to Novosibirsk, where they will face off against their direct rival, Sibir. Neftekhimik’s chances for a place in the Gagarin Cup seem a little more favorable, but a lot will depend on this game. The teams met recently, on Feb 9. That game went to Sibir, courtesy of a double by Andy Andreoff, who scored in regulation and OT. However, both teams are now trailing Amur, especially after yesterday’s win over Traktor.
Then, Avtomobilist faces Avangard as the Motormen try to clinch a playoff spot. To do so, the Motormen need to avoid a regulation loss in this home game. They will also try to return to victory after losing two straight games.
Another exciting game is the showdown between Ak Bars and Metallurg. These teams make always an intense matchup, even if they have both clinched a playoff place. That said, Magnitka has defeated Ak Bars twice this season, and will be on the lookout for a third win.
The action then moves to the Western Conference. Lokomotiv will also seek a return to victory after three straight losses – a streak that cost them the second place in the West standings. The opponent today is CSKA, so motivation won’t be lacking on the Railwaymen’s side. In Moscow, in the meantime, Dynamo will face Dinamo Minsk for the fourth time this season. In all three previous games the Muscovites won, but maybe this game will see a revert in the trend?
Again in the Moscow Region, Kunlun Red Star hosts Lada. The Togliatti side is still seeking to clinch a playoff spot in their return season, and while Lada is well-positioned, the side accumulated five straight losses. A return to victory today will be mandatory to secure a place in the Gagarin Cup playoff.
Another great game today is SKA vs. Salavat Yulaev. The teams played a mind-blowing game in Ufa in early February. The St. Petersburg side led 4-0 midway through the middle frame, but in the third period the hosts came close thanks to a double by Alexander Sharov and a goal by Dinar Khafizullin. Mikhail Vorobyov, a product of Salavat Yulaev’s school, netted the game-winner for SKA. Both sides will enter today’s game on a three-game winning streak.
15:30: Sibir (25-28-10, 10th E) vs Neftekhimik (26-25-12, 9th E)
About the game
Sibir starts a two-game home series following a loss to Avangard on Sunday (2:7).
Neftekhimik is in the middle of a five-game road trip and lost to Ak Bars on Tuesday (0:3).
The season series between the two sides is 2-1 (3:1, 2:1 ОТ, 1:3).
Sibir’s forward Andy Andreoff is on a five-game scoring streak, with 7 (5+2) points over that span.
Injury list
Neftekhimik: Nail Yakupov.
Milestone alert
Sibir’s defenseman Ziyat Paigin lines up for his 400th KHL game.
17:00: Avtomobilist (33-22-8, 5th E) vs Avangard (41-17-4, 2nd E)
About the game
Avtomobilist is in the middle of a three-game home series and lost its previous couple of matches.
Avangard ends a two-game road trip and lost to Salavat Yulaev on Tuesday (2:7).
The teams have defeated each other this season (5:1, 2:3 OT).
Avtomobilist’s forward Stephane Da Costa is on a three-game scoring streak, with 4 (2+2) points over that span.
Injury list
Avtomobilist: Semyon Kizimov.
Milestone alert
Avtomobilist’s forward Brooks Macek lines up for his 300th KHL game.
19:00: Ak Bars (37-23-3, 4th E) vs Metallurg (40-15-7, 1st E)
About the game
Ak Bars ends a two-game home series following a win over Neftekhimik on Tuesday (3:0).
Metallurg starts a two-game road trip after a loss to Dynamo Moscow on Sunday (3:4 SO).
Metallurg has defeated Ak Bars twice this season (3:0, 4:1).
Ak Bars’ goalie Timur Bilyalov is on an 81:34 shutout streak.
Metallurg’s forward Danila Yurov is on a three-game scoring streak, with 4 (2+2) points over that span.
Metallurg’s forward Nikita Grebyonkin is on a five-game scoring streak, with 7 (4+3) points.
Injury list
Ak Bars: Dmitrij Jaskin.
Metallurg: Yegor Korobkin.
Milestone alert
Ak Bars’ forward Dmitry Kagarlitsky may reach 500 KHL points (currently at 497).
Ak Bars’ forward Artyom Galimov may net his 100th career tally (currently at 99).
19:00: Lokomotiv (40-18-5, 3rd W) vs CSKA (32-25-6, 7th W)
About the game
Lokomotiv is in the middle of a three-game home series and lost its previous three matches.
CSKA ends a five-game road trip following two straight victories.
The season series between the two teams is 3-2 (2:1, 1:2, 0:3, 3:2, 2:1 ОТ).
Injury list
Lokomotiv: Yegor Averin, Maxim Beryozkin.
CSKA: Marsel Ibragimov.
Milestone alert
CSKA’s forward Vitaly Abramov lines up for his 200th KHL appearance.
19:30: Dynamo Moscow (40-16-6, 4th W) vs Dinamo Minsk (29-29-5, 8th W)
About the game
Dynamo Moscow plays the lone home game of the series and won its previous three matches.
Dinamo Minsk enters the third game of a four-match road trip after a win over Vityaz on Tuesday (3:2).
Dynamo Moscow has defeated the Belarusian side three times this season (2:1, 4:1, 4:1).
Dynamo Moscow’s forward Nikita Gusev is on a four-game scoring streak, with 7 (1+6) points over that span.
Dinamo Minsk’s forward Alexander Volkov is on a five-game scoring streak, with 7 (3+4) points.
Dinamo Minsk’s forward Vitaly Pinchuk is on a three-game scoring streak, with 4 (1+3) points.
Injury list
Dynamo Moscow: Artyom Volchenkov, Cedric Paquette.
Dinamo Minsk: Sam Anas, Yegor Borikov, Dmitry Deryabin, Ivan Sekerin, Nikita Smirnov, Alexander Suvorov.
Milestone alert
Dynamo Moscow’s defenseman Brennan Menell may reach 100 KHL assists (currently at 99).
19:30: Kunlun Red Star (21-35-6, 9th W) vs Lada (29-20-14, 7th E)
About the game
Kunlun Red Star enters the second game of a four-match home series following a loss to CSKA on Tuesday (2:4).
Lada, who has already defeated the Dragons this season (5:1), enters the second game of a six-match road trip on a five-game losing streak.
Kunlun Red Star’s defenseman Jack Chelios is on a six-game scoring streak, with 7 (1+6) points over that span.
Injury list
Kunlun Red Star: Kyle Wood.
Lada: Alexei Ozhgikhin, Nikolai Vladimirov.
19:30: SKA (43-17-3, 1st W) vs Salavat Yulaev (40-17-5, 3rd E)
About the game
SKA, who has already defeated Salavat Yulaev this season (4:3), enters the third game of a five-match home series on a three-game winning streak.
Salavat Yulaev starts a three-game road trip also on a three-match winning streak.
SKA’s defenseman Alexander Nikishin, who can reach 100 KHL assists tonight (currently at 99), is on a five-game scoring streak, with 6 (1+5) points over that span.
Salavat Yulaev’s goalie Ilya Ezhov is on a 78:20 shutout streak.
Injury list
SKA: Vladimir Alistrov, Johan Mattsson.
Salavat Yulaev: Nikolai Kulemin, Alexei Pustozyorov.
