Ak Bars trying to save the season today!

Five games are on tap, with Ak Bars being down by three games against Avtomobilist as the first team on the edge of going to an early vacation. Traktor, Dynamo Moscow, Lokomotiv, and Spartak will seek their third win in the respective series.

17:00: Traktor vs Salavat Yulaev

Series stand
2-1 (3:2, 1:4, 3:2).

About the game
Tempers cooled down in game three, but Salavat Yulaev failed to achieve an away win and conceded a game to a well-composed Traktor squad, who built a good advantage in the opening frame and held on until the final hooter. Zach Fucale had 34 saves for the Chelyabinsk squad, who reached the Conference Finals in 2022 just to fail making the playoffs one year later. Will Traktor have another chance for a strong playoff run? They still need to defeat Ufa twice.
Traktor’s forward Maxim Shabanov had an assist in each of his previous three games.
Salavat Yulaev’s forward Josh Leivo is also on a three-game scoring streak, with 5 (2+3) points over that span.

Injury list
Traktor: Andrei Chibisov.
Salavat Yulaev: Alexei Pustozyorov, Yegor Suchkov.

Disqualifications
Traktor’s forward Charles Robinson will serve a one-game ban.

Milestone alert
Traktor’s forwards Anton Burdasov and Vladimir Tkachyov may reach 200 KHL assists (currently both sitting at 198).
Salavat Yulaev’s forward Alexander Sharov may reach 250 league points (currently at 249).

17:00: Avtomobilist vs Ak Bars

Series stand
3-0 (2:1, 4:0, 3:1)

About the game
Anatoly Golyshev was unstoppable in game three – he put his signature to the match with a hat-trick, scoring all the Motormen’s goals and securing Avto the third straight win in the series. Ak Bars once again struggled to produce in the offensive zone and only scored once, with Evgeny Alikin posting 26 saves.
Avtomobilist’s forward Brooks Macek is on a three-game scoring streak, with 4 (1+3) points over that span.
Avtomobilist’s forward Sergei Shirokov is on a four-game scoring streak, with 6 (3+3) points.

Injury list
Avtomobilist: Stephane Da Costa, Maxim Denezhkin, Vladimir Kuznetsov.

Milestone alert
Avtomobilist’s forward Brooks Macek may reach 100 KHL assists (currently at 99).
Ak Bars’ forward Alexander Radulov may reach 700 KHL points (currently at 698).
Ak Bars’ forward Dmitry Kagarlitsky may reach 500 league points (currently at 497).
Ak Bars’ forward Semyon Koshelev may record his 100th assist in the KHL (currently at 99).

19:30: Dinamo Minsk vs Dynamo Moscow

Series stand
0-2 (1:4, 3:4).

About the game
Dinamo Minsk improved its performance and raised the tempo in game two, but it wasn’t enough to take the best over the Muscovites. The Bisons played well five-on-five, but lacked some discipline and allowed two powerplay goals in the third period that cost them the game. Dmitry Rashevsky was once again hard to contain for Minsk, as he potted in another double.
Dynamo Moscow’s forward Dmitry Rashevsky is on a four-game scoring streak, with 8 (7+1) points over that span.
Dynamo Moscow’s defenseman Brennan Menell is also on a four-game scoring streak, with 5 (1+4) points.
Dynamo Moscow’s defenseman Daniil Pylenkov and forward Artyom Ilyenko are on an identical three-game scoring streak, with 3 (1+2) points.

Injury list
Dynamo Moscow: Artyom Volchenkov.
Dinamo Minsk: Dmitry Deryabin, Nikita Smirnov, Alexander Suvorov.

Milestone alert
Dinamo Minsk’s defenseman Dmitry Korobov may reach 100 KHL points (currently at 99).
Dynamo Moscow’s forward Andrei Nikonov lines up for his 100^th league appearance.

19:30: CSKA vs Lokomotiv

Series stand
1-2 (4:0, 1:2, 2:3 OT).

About the game
An OT goal by Denis Alexeyev – his second tally in the series – gave Loko the advantage in the series. The Railwaymen went up by two midway through the game, with Daniil But and Georgy Ivanov finding their respective first tallies in this year’s elimination stage, but CSKA rallied back in the closing frame with Pavel Karnaukhov and Mikhail Grigorenko. Daniil Isayev had 26 saves for Lokomotiv.

Injury list
CSKA: Marsel Ibragimov.

19:30: Severstal vs Spartak

Series stand
1-2 (2:3, 2:1, 3:7)

About the game
On Monday, Spartak's formidable offense reclaimed its dominance, scoring numerous goals in Cherepovets to seize back the lead in the series. Despite the Steelmen's optimism following their narrow 2-1 victory in Moscow over the weekend, they were overwhelmed right from the start. Alexander Belyayev and Alexander Pashin scored a pair for the Muscovites, while defenseman Daniil Ivanov continued to impress, posting a pair of helpers.
Severstal’s forward Kirill Pilipenko is on a three-game scoring streak, with 4 (3+1) points over that span.
Severstal’s forward Danil Aimurzin is also on a three-game scoring streak, with 5 (2+3) points.

Injury list
Severstal: Ivan Podshivalov, Dmitry Shugayev.
Spartak: Patrik Rybar.

Milestone alert
Severstal’s forward Kirill Pilipenko lines up for his 200^th league match.
Spartak’s forward Ivan Morozov may reach 100 league points (currently at 99).
Spartak’s forward Ansel Galimov may score his 100th career goal (currently at 99).
Spartak’s forward Shane Prince may record his 100th league assist (currently at 99).