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Game five between Salavat Yulaev and Traktor!
The hottest series of the first round returns tonight with a critical match with the teams tied at two. Avtomobilist, Lokomotiv, and Spartak have a chance to book a ticket for the second round. From the next round onwards, the teams won’t be split in conferences anymore.
14:30: Salavat Yulaev vs Traktor
Series stand
2-2 (2:3, 4:1, 2:3, 3:2)
About the game
Salavat Yulaev held tight and achieved a key victory on Wednesday, with a late-gasp, powerplay goal by Ivan Drozdov. It was the second of the night for the Belarusian forward, whose line with Joshua Leivo and Alexander Chmelevsky was unstoppable for Traktor, despite 37 saves from Zach Fucale. The game was once again incredibly intense, with another three fights, so the temperature is expected to be high today as well, also considering that Charles Robinson will return from his one-game ban.
Salavat Yulaev’s forward Joshua Leivo is on a four-game scoring streak, with 7 (3+4) points over that span.
Salavat Yulaev’s forward Ivan Drozdov is on a three-game scoring streak, with 6 (3+3) points.
Salavat Yulaev’s forward Alexander Chmelevsky is also on a three-game scoring streak, with 6 (2+4) points.
Injury list
Salavat Yulaev: Alexei Pustozyorov, Yegor Suchkov, Nikita Zorkin.
Traktor: Andrei Chibisov.
Milestone alert
Salavat Yulaev’s forward Alexander Sharov may reach 250 KHL points (currently at 249).
Traktor’s forwards Anton Burdasov and Vladimir Tkachyov may record their 200th league assist (both are sitting at 198).
17:00: Ak Bars vs Avtomobilist
Series stand
1-3 (1:2, 0:4, 1:3, 5:0)
About the game
It was a real do or die for Ak Bars on Wednesday, and the Kazan side survived with a commanding 5:0 victory not only to get a morale boost, but also getting a foundation on which to build as the action returns to Tatarstan today. Both teams shuffled their lines, with Stephane Da Costa returning to the ice for the Motormen. The guests had a fast start, building a three-goal advantage by the midgame point. A pair of tallies by Evgeny Svechnikov sealed the deal for Ak Bars, who will be trying to build on this victory to make it a 2-3 series on its home ice.
Ak Bars’ goalie Timur Bilyalov is on a 66:13 shutout streak.
Injury list
Avtomobilist: Vladimir Kuznetsov.
Milestone alert
Ak Bars’ forward Dmitry Kagarlitsky may reach 500 league points (currently at 497).
Ak Bars’ forward Semyon Koshelev and Avtomobilist’s forward Brooks Macek may record their 100th KHL assist (both are currently at 99).
Ak Bars’ goalie Timur Bilyalov lines up for his 50th Gagarin Cup playoffs’ game.
17:00: Dinamo Minsk vs Dynamo Moscow
Series stand
1-2 (1:4, 3:4, 3:1)
About the game
After two straight losses in Moscow, Dinamo Minsk stroke back gaining this year’s first win in the elimination stage after being competitive, but outplayed, in the first couple of games in the series. Nick Merkley posted a double for the home side, who also enjoyed from a tally by Roman Gorbunov. Cedric Paquette’s powerplay goal wasn’t enough for Dynamo Moscow, who spent too much time sitting on penalty killing situations – especially in the closing frame, failing to have a real chance to rally back. Goalie Alexei Kolosov was instrumental for the Bisons, stopping 35 shots.
Dynamo Moscow’s defenseman Brennan Menell is on a five-game scoring streak, with 6 (1+5) points over that span.
Injury list
Dinamo Minsk: Dmitry Deryabin, Nikita Smirnov, Alexander Suvorov.
Dynamo Moscow: Artyom Volchenkov.
Milestone alert
Dinamo Minsk’s forward Roman Gorbunov may reach 100 career points (currently at 99).
Dynamo Moscow’s forward Andrei Nikonov may line up for his 100th league appearance.
Dynamo Moscow’s forward Nikita Gusev lines up for his 100th game in the Gagarin Cup playoffs and may celebrate his 100th career point in the elimination stage (currently at 99).
17:00: Lokomotiv vs CSKA
Series stand
3-1 (0:4, 2:1, 3:2 ОТ, 2:1)
About the game
Lokomotiv’s forward Denis Alexeyev scored again to secure another win for Loko, who is on the verge of sensationally send CSKA to an early vacation. CSKA bench boss Sergei Fedorov has never lost a playoff series in his time as a head coach. However, that record is now in serious jeopardy with his team losing three straight games. Maxim Shalunov netted his first goal of this year’s elimination stage, with Lokomotiv getting a great chance to close the affair with CSKA today in Yaroslavl.
Lokomotiv’s forward Denis Alexeyev had a goal in each of his previous three games.
Injury list
CSKA: Marsel Ibragimov.
Milestone alert
Lokomotiv’s forward Artur Kayumov may reach 100 KHL assists (currently at 99).
17:00: Spartak vs Severstal
Series stand
3-1 (3:2, 1:2, 7:3, 5:4 ОТ)
About the game
Another team with a great chance to book a ticket for the playoffs’ second round is Spartak – the Muscovites had an important win in game four, with an OT thriller ended by a swift offensive rush by Slovak blueliner Michal Cajkovsky. Spartak lead the game four times, with Severstal rallying back each time, but without being obviously able to do so in extra time. Ivan Morozov potted a double for Spartak, while Severstal enjoyed a two-goal effort by young forward Danil Aimurzin.
Severstal’s forwards Danil Aimurzin and Kirill Pilipenko are on an identical four-game scoring streak, with 7 (4+3) points over that span.
Injury list
Spartak: Patrik Rybar.
Severstal: Ivan Podshivalov, Dmitry Shugayev.
Milestone alert
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).
Spartak’s defenseman Yegor Zaitsev lines up for his 400th league appearance.
