Traktor faces Salavat Yulaev for the third time, Kunlun Red Star hosts HC Sochi

Only two games are on tap on a light KHL Friday, with a game in each Conference. Traktor will be seeking a win to keep its Eastern leadership, while both the Dragons and Sochi are trying to get points to climb up in the West standings.

Traktor and Salavat Yulaev already met twice this season, with the Ufa franchise claiming both matches (2:1 SO, 5:3), and today the challenge is set in Chelyabinsk with both teams having won their most recent contest, against Ak Bars (3:1) and Barys (3:2), respectively. The thrilling last year’s first-round playoff series got a worthy continuation in the current season. The competition was excellent, despite Ufa taking both games. In one match, Salavat Yulaev came out on top after SO, while in the second, the team celebrated a 5:3 victory, with the fifth goal scored into Traktor’s empty net. Essentially, the main question is simple—will we see a 3-0 sweep for the Green Machine in the season series, or will Benoit Groulx’s Traktor find a way to counter Ufa? The Chelyabinsk side is currently leading the Eastern Conference with 24 points, while Salavat Yulaev is down in seventh place.

The action then moves West, for a showdown between Kunlun Red Star and HC Sochi. The two sides are struggling to take off in the standings, despite a few solid performances, but today have a chance to grab some points to climb up. The Dragons are higher in the standings, being at the tenth place with 13 points, while HC Sochi closes the Western Conference’s standings with two points less. Moreover, Kunlun Red Star won the last ten home games against the Black Sea franchise, with the latest Sochi away win dating back to 2017 (3:4 in Shanghai). Sochi has lost its previous three straight games, but will return home today for a new series.

17:00: Traktor (11-3-2, 1^st E) vs Salavat Yulaev (8-5-0, 7^th E)

About the game

Traktor ends a five-game home series and defeated Ak Bars on Wednesday (3:1).

Salavat Yulaev, who defeated Traktor twice this season (2:1 SO, 5:3), ends a five-game road trip and defeated Barys also on Wednesday (3:2).

Salavat Yulaev’s forward Alexander Chmelevsky is on a three-game scoring streak, with 5 (3+2) points over that span.

Salavat Yulaev’s forward Nathan Todd is also on a three-game scoring streak, with 4 (1+3) points.

Salavat Yulaev’s forward Sheldon Rempal had a point in each of his previous three matches, with 3 (1+2) points in total.

Injury list

Salavat Yulaev: Gleb Kuzmin.

Milestone alert

Traktor’s forward Vladimir Zharkov may reach his 100^th KHL assist (currently at 99).

Traktor’s goalie Zach Fucale may record his 10^th league shutout.

19:30: Kunlun Red Star (6-9-1, 10^th W) vs HC Sochi (5-9-1, 11^th W)

About the game

Kunlun Red Star enters the second game of a five-match home series and most recently lost to Lokomotiv, on Wednesday (1:5).

HC Sochi starts a four-game road trip after three straight defeats.

HC Sochi’s forward Artur Tyanulin is on a seven-game scoring streak, with 11 (3+8) points over that span.

HC Sochi’s forward Sergei Popov is on a five-game scoring streak, with 7 (4+3) points.

Injury list

Kunlun Red Star: Ryan Merkley.