Avangard and Dynamo Moscow seeking return to victory

Only two games are on tap on a light KHL Friday, but both promise emotions and excellent plays, with Dynamo Moscow paying a visit to Vladivostok and Avangard hosting Avtomobilist.

The KHL matchday starts early in the Far East, with Admiral hosting Dynamo Moscow. Mostly, the Sailors lacked consistency. They had a good start with an away win over Vityaz (3:2), then lost to Kunlun Red Star (4:5 OT) and CSKA (2:6). After the two straight losses, Admiral rebounded back with a 7:1 thumping of the Dragons, with a double by leading defenseman Libor Sulak and three points coming from Pavel Shen, Stepan Starkov (the two forwards are on a scoring streak), and Daniil Gutik. More disappointing is Dynamo Moscow’s season so far. The Blue-and-Whites have struggled, compiling only two wins, over Severstal (3:1) and Dinamo Minsk (6:3), respectively, against four losses, to Kunlun Red Star, Lada, Spartak, and CSKA. Both teams will be seeking a win, and the game can go either way.

In the second game of the matchday, Avangard welcomes Avtomobilist. The Hawks had a good start at the beginning, but then lost three straight games, to Amur (2:3 SO), Sibir (1:4), and Salavat Yulaev (2:4). The Motormen have the same exact record as Avangard, with most recently losing to Barys (1:2 OT) after a triumphant win over Salavat Yulaev on Sept. 14 (6:1). To make it harder for Avtomobilist is that Avangard won its previous ten home games against the Yekaterinburg side. Frenchmen Stephane Da Costa is on a hot streak for Avto.

12:30: Admiral (2-1-1) vs Dynamo Moscow (2-4-0)

About the game

Admiral enters the second game of a five-match home series following a win over Kunlun Red Star on Tuesday (7:1).

Dynamo Moscow enters the second game of a four-match road trip and lost to CSKA also on Tuesday (1:3).

Admiral’s forward Pavel Shen is on a four-game scoring streak, with 8 (2+6) points over that span.

Admiral’s forward Stepan Starkov is on a three-game scoring streak, with 5 (2+3) points.

Dynamo Moscow’s forwards Nikita Gusev and Anton Slepyshev are on an identical three-game scoring streak, with 3 (1+2) points.

Injury list

Admiral: Vyacheslav Osnovin.

Milestone alert

Dynamo Moscow’s defenseman Daniil Pylenkov may reach 100 league points (currently at 99).

Dynamo Moscow’s forward Nikita Gusev may record his 400^th KHL helper (currently at 396).

16:30: Avangard (3-2-1) vs Avtomobilist (3-2-1)

About the game

Avangard plays the lone home game of the series after losing three straight matches.

Avtomobilist starts a four-game road trip after a home loss to Barys on Tuesday (1:2 OT).

Avtomobilist’s forward Stephane Da Costa is on a three-game scoring streak, with 4 (1+3) points over that span.

Injury list

Avangard: Mikhail Berdin, Reid Boucher, Vladimir Tkachyov.

Milestone alert

Avtomobilist’s forward Stephane Da Costa may record his 250^th league assist (currently at 249).

Avtomobilist’s forward Daniil Romantsev lines up for his 500^th KHL appearance.