CSKA seeking return to victory in Moscow Derby, game #1000 for Sibir!
The team has lost twice in a row and faces Dynamo tonight in an exciting Capital Derby. An action-packed KHL Tuesday will see twelve teams hitting the ice in six anticipated clashes, with potentially profound implications on the standings in this early part of the season.
The KHL matchday starts again early in the Far East, with Admiral hosting Kunlun Red Star. The Dragons were successful in their first game in Eastern Russia, with a 3:2 win over Amur in Khabarovsk. Tonight, they will try to gather another victory, as it’s their second clash with the Sailors this season, with a Kunlun OT win in the first game. On home soil, Admiral will try to return to win after losing twice in a row.
Then, Sibir hosts Neftekhimik. The Wolves are sensationally among the best teams in the league, with four wins in five games and three straight victories. However, Sibir won its previous eight home game against Neftekhimik, so it will be hard to predict a sure winner, especially considering that the home team is also on a winning streak and today celebrates its 1000th game in the league.
The Eastern Conference features another couple of games. First, on the Urals, Avtomobilist hosts Barys. Will the Kazakhs rebound and win their first game in the new season? It won’t be easy on a hard road game. In the meantime, Salavat Yulaev welcomes Avangard. After a strong start, the Hawks lost two games in a row—the absence of a few injured players begins to be felt, but today’s game may be a good chance to rebound back. Ufa has also just suffered from its first loss of the season—against Avtomobilist—and this match can be a revenge for them too.
The action then moves to the Western Conference for two further games on the matchday. In Yaroslavl, the Railwaymen host Lada in the teams’ second encounter this season, with Lokomotiv grabbing the first clash. Moreover, the Togliatti side isn’t winning a game in Yaroslavl since almost ten years ago. Lokomotiv has just lost its first game of the season, and they will want an immediate return to victory.
In Moscow, there will be another Capital Derby with CSKA hosting Dynamo. The hosts lost two games in a row most recently, while the Blue-and-Whites defeated Dinamo Minsk on Sunday. The Ilya Vorobyov’s men will want to return to taste victory, while young Prokhor Poltapov has a chance to keep his impressive scoring streak alive. The forward had nine points in his latest five games. Considering the two teams’ rosters, CSKA’s offense, and Dynamo’s struggle in goaltending, unpredictability will be key tonight on an exciting Moscow Derby.
12:30: Admiral (1-1-1) vs Kunlun Red Star (3-2-0)
About the game
Admiral starts a five-game home series following two straight losses.
Kunlun Red Star, who has defeated Admiral earlier this season (5:4 OT), ends a three-game road trip following a win over Amur on Sunday (3:2). However, its most recent win in Vladivostok is dated Oct. 9, 2018 (3:2).
Admiral’s forward Pavel Shen is on a three-game scoring streak, with 5 (1+4) points over that span.
Injury list
Admiral: Vyacheslav Osnovin.
Kunlun Red Star: Doyle Somerby
15:30: Sibir (2-3-0) vs Neftekhimik (4-1-0)
About the game
Sibir enters the second game of a six-match home series on a two-game winning streak.
Neftekhimik starts a three-game road trip on a three-match winning streak.
Sibir’s veteran forward Sergei Shirokov is on a three-game scoring streak, with 5 (3+2) points over that span.
Neftekhimik’s goalie Filipp Dolganov is on a 77:48 shutout streak.
Injury list
Sibir: Dmitry Ovchinnikov.
Milestone alert
Sibir’s defenseman Trevor Murphy may record his 100th KHL assist (currently at 99).
17:00: Avtomobilist (3-2-0) vs Barys (0-3-1)
About the game
Avtomobilist ends a two-game home series following a win over Salavat Yulaev on Saturday (6:1).
Barys starts a three-game road trip and lost its previous four matches.
Injury list
Barys: Nathan Belieu.
Milestone alert
Barys’ forward Kirill Panyukov lines up for his 300th KHL game.
Barys’ forward Damir Zhafyarov may reach 200 career assists (currently at 199).
17:00: Salavat Yulaev (3-1-0) vs Avangard (3-1-1)
About the game
Salavat Yulaev plays its lone home game of the series following a loss over Avtomobilist on Saturday (1:6).
Avangard ends a two-game road trip and lost its previous couple of matches.
Salavat Yulaev’s forward Joshua Leivo is on a then-game scoring streak, with 14 (6+8) points over that span.
Salavat Yulaev’s forward Nathan Todd is on a four-game scoring streak, with 5 (1+4) points.
Salavat Yulaev’s forward Alexander Chmelevsky is also on a four-game scoring streak, with 4 (3+1) points.
Injury list
Salavat Yulaev: Daniil Ogirchuk.
Avangard: Mikhail Berdin, Reid Boucher, Vladimir Tkachyov.
19:00: Lokomotiv (4-1-0) vs Lada (2-2-1)
About the game
Lokomotiv, who has defeated Lada earlier this season (3:0), starts a five-game home series following a loss to Neftekhimik on Saturday (0:1).
Lada ends a three-game road trip following a loss to SKA on Sunday (3:4 OT).
Lada’s most recent win in Yaroslavl is dated Nov. 22, 2014 (4:2).
Injury list
Lokomotiv: Denis Alexeyev.
Lada: Rafael Bikmullin, Danila Moiseyev.
Milestone alert
Lokomotiv’s goalie Daniil Isayev may record his 20th KHL shutout.
19:30: CSKA (2-2-1) vs Dynamo Moscow (2-3-0)
About the game
CSKA starts a two-game home series on a two-match losing streak.
Dynamo Moscow starts a four-game road trip fresh off a win over Dinamo Minsk on Sunday (6:3).
CSKA’s forward Prokhor Poltapov is on a five-game scoring streak, with 9 (3+6) points over that span.
Injury list
CSKA: Christian Jaros, Colby Williams.
Milestone alert
Dynamo Moscow’s defenseman Daniil Pylenkov may score his 100th career point (currently at 99).
Dynamo Moscow’s forward Nikita Gusev may become the fourth player in the KHL history to reach the 400-assist mark (currently at 396).
