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Second Moscow Derby between CSKA and Spartak!
The two sides have already collided earlier in the season, with Spartak claiming a 4:2 victory. Four games are on tap on an exciting KHL Saturday.
CSKA facing Spartak is always an exciting contest and today’s clash makes no exception. The two Moscow sides enter today’s game with just one point of difference in the standings (13 against 12), even if CSKA has a game more. In the most recent encounter, on Sept. 5, Spartak enjoyed a 4:2 win with a two-point performance from Dmitry Vishnevsky and Andrei Loktionov. It was the first game of the season for both sides, and the Red-and-Whites won another five games, including their last couple of matches, against Traktor (3:2 SO) and Metallurg (4:3), respectively. Currently, both teams are on a top four place in the West. CSKA, instead, has defeated Amur on Tuesday, following a loss to Admiral and two consecutive wins last week. The Red-and-Blues can also count again on Slovak defenseman Christian Jaros, who may have his debut game this year.
The KHL matchday will start earlier in Khabarovsk, with the Tigers facing Torpedo. Amur rebounded back after its loss to CSKA defeating Vityaz, but for now they are on a somewhat disappointing ninth place in the Eastern Conference. The Igor Larionov’s young guns also had a difficult period with four straight losses, but now they won their most recent four matches. This will be a great chance for both teams to climb up in the standings, but only one can achieve a win.
In Kazakhstan, Barys return to action after finally getting a win in its first game under the new coach Vyacheslav Butsayev. After three straight losses, the Kazakhs shut out HC Sochi at home, with goalie Nikita Boyarkin stopping 26 shots and Wade Allison netting his second goal of the season. Today’s opponent will be Vityaz, who lost its latest couple of matches, against Amur (2:3) and Admiral (3:6), respectively. Less than a week ago, however, the Moscow Region team defeat Barys 4:1 netting three goals with the man advantage. Barys will want to cut down on penalties to avoid repeating that scenario.
Closing out an exciting KHL matchday is table topping Lokomotiv hosting HC Sochi. The Black Sea team lost its most recent four matches, to SKA (4:7), Ak Bars (2:5), Sibir (2:4), and Barys (0:1). However, the Railwaymen shouldn’t underrate their opposition, who has already defeated Spartak in its first game of the season and Torpedo a few games later. On its hand, Lokomotiv won its previous couple of matches and will move on to a road trip after today’s game against Sochi.
10:30: Amur (3-5-0, 9th E) vs Torpedo (4-5-1, 7th W)
About the game
Amur ends a five-game home series and defeated Vityaz on Thursday (3:2).
Torpedo enters the third game of a four-match road trip on a two-match winning streak.
Torpedo’s forward Nikita Artamonov is on a four-game scoring streak, with 6 (3+3) points over that span.
Torpedo’s forward Maxim Letunov is on a three-game scoring streak, with 6 (2+4) points.
Torpedo’s forward Vladislav Firstov is also on a three-game scoring streak, with 5 (3+2) points.
Injury list
Amur: Vladislav Barulin, Ilya Talaluyev.
Torpedo: Andrei Belevich, Igor Larionov.
Milestone alert
Amur’s defenseman Yakov Rylov may reach 800 KHL games.
Torpedo’s forward Dmitry Kagarlitsky may score his 500th KHL point (currently at 498).
Torpedo’s goalie Ivan Bocharov may record his 30th career shutout.
13:00: Barys (2-6-1, 12th E) vs Vityaz (3-6-0, 9th W)
About the game
Barys enters the third game of a four-match home series after a win over HC Sochi on Thursday (1:0).
Vityaz, who has defeated Barys earlier this season (4:1), ends a three-game road trip on a two-match losing streak.
Barys’ goalie Nikita Boyarkin is on a 98:05 shutout streak.
Barys’ forward Alikhan Omirbekov is on a three-game scoring streak, with 3 (1+2) points over that span.
Injury list
Barys: Viktor Antipin, Batyrlan Muratov, Damir Zhafyarov.
Vityaz: Ilya Arkalov, Vladimir Galuzin, Vladislav Tsitsyura, Grigory Vashchenko.
Milestone alert
Vityaz’s forward Andrei Chivilyov lines up for his 200th KHL game.
17:00: Lokomotiv (7-1-1, 1st W) vs HC Sochi (2-6-0, 11th W)
About the game
Lokomotiv ends a five-game home series following two consecutive wins.
HC Sochi ends a four-game road trip on a four-match losing streak.
Lokomotiv’s forward Stepan Nikulin is on a four-game scoring streak, with 5 (2+3) points over that span.
Injury list
Lokomotiv: Denis Alexeyev, Dmitry Simashev.
HC Sochi: Amir Garayev, Michal Kristof, Timur Manukhov.
Milestone alert
Lokomotiv’s forward Alexander Radulov may net his 250th KHL tally (currently at 248).
Lokomotiv’s goalie Daniil Isayev may record his 20th league shutout.
17:00: Spartak (6-1-1, 3rd W) vs CSKA (5-2-2, 4th W)
About the game
Spartak, who has already defeated CSKA earlier this season (4:2), starts a six-game home series on a two-match winning streak.
CSKA enters the third game of a four-match road trip following a win over Amur on Tuesday (3:0).
CSKA’s goalie Dmitry Gamzin is on a 62:57 shutout streak.
CSKA’s forward Ivan Drozdov had at least an assist in each of his previous four matches, totaling five helpers.
Injury list
Spartak: Daniil Ivanov.
CSKA: Colby Williams.
Milestone alert
Spartak’s defenseman Dmitry Vishnevsky and forward Ansel Galimov may reach 200 KHL points (currently at 199 and 198, respectively).
