SKA faces Lokomotiv, Traktor hosts Sibir on a light KHL Wednesday
Only two matches, one for each conference, are scheduled for today, with SKA hosting Lokomotiv and Traktor welcoming Sibir.
The KHL matchday will start in the Eastern Conference, with an exciting matchup between Traktor and Sibir. The Novosibirsk side was one of the top teams in the East until not long ago, even topping the KHL power rankings, then a four-game losing streak had Sibir slip down to seventh place in the standings. In this stretch, Sibir lost to Severstal (2:4), Traktor (4:5), Barys (1:3), and SKA (3:6). On Monday, Traktor lost at home to Avtomobilist as the clash between the top two in the East produced a thrilling battle. The Motormen eventually took the verdict by the odd goal in nine, closing the gap on Traktor to six points, with the Black-and-Whites remaining on the top of the Conference.
The action then moves to St. Petersburg, where SKA will host Lokomotiv for the third time this season. The St. Petersburg franchise is on a hot streak with six consecutive wins and an impressive number of goals scored, with several leaders being on active scoring streaks—for example, Evgeny Kuznetsov has points for eight straight matches. Lokomotiv isn’t doing any worse, though. The Railwaymen are at five straight wins, against Dinamo Minsk (3:2), Amur (5:0), Dynamo Moscow (4:3 SO), Barys (3:1), and Kunlun Red Star (5:1). Most importantly, they are above SKA in the standings by five points as they start a new road trip with today’s game.
17:00: Traktor (15-4-2, 1st E) vs Sibir (9-9-1, 7th E)
About the game
Traktor, who defeated Sibir earlier this season (5:4), is in the middle of a three-game home series and lost to Avtomobilist on Monday (4:5).
Sibir is in the middle of a three-game road trip and lost four straight matches.
Traktor’s forward Semyon Der Arguchintsev is on a three-game scoring streak, with 6 (2+4) points over that span.
Injury list
Traktor: Danil Yurtaikin.
Sibir: Yegor Martynov.
Milestone alert
Traktor’s forward Vladimir Tkachyov lines up for his 700th league appearance, while his teammate, forward Alexander Sharov, reaches 500.
Traktor’s goalie Zach Fucale may record his 10th KHL shutout.
Sibir’s newly signed defenseman Roman Rukavishnikov may reach 100 KHL points.
19:30: SKA (15-5-1, 2nd W) vs Lokomotiv (17-2-2, 1st W)
About the game
SKA ends a two-game home series on a six-match winning streak.
Lokomotiv starts a three-game road trip following five straight wins.
The season series between the two sides is 1-1 (0:2, 4:3 OT).
SKA’s forward Evgeny Kuznetsov is on an eight-game scoring streak, with 12 (5+7) points over that span.
SKA’s forward Ivan Demidov is on a six-game scoring streak, with 9 (1+8) points.
SKA’s forward Sergei Plotnikov is on a five-game scoring streak, with 9 (6+3) points.
SKA’s forward Vasily Glotov is also on a five-game scoring streak, with 8 (5+3) points.
SKA’s forward Mikhail Grigorenko is on a four-game scoring streak, with 7 (4+3) points.
SKA’s forward Zakhar Bardakov is on a four-game scoring streak, with 6 (3+3) points.
SKA’s forward Arseny Gritsyuk is on a three-game scoring streak, with 4 (2+2) points.
SKA’s defenseman Alexander Nikishin is also on a three-game scoring streak, with 4 (1+3) points.
Lokomotiv’s goalie Alexei Melnichuk is on an 82:51 shutout streak.
Lokomotiv’s forward Maxim Beryozkin is on a nine-game scoring streak, with 10 (3+7) points.
Lokomotiv’s forward Artur Kayumov is on a three-game scoring streak, with 5 (2+3) points.
Injury list
SKA: Artyom Zemchyonok.
Milestone alert
Lokomotiv’s forward Maxim Shalunov may score his 200th KHL goal (currently at 198).
