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Ak Bars faces Lokomotiv in today’s top clash!
Four games are on tap on an exciting KHL Friday to start another month, with three games in the East and one in the West. Both Ak Bars and Lokomotiv seem to be in excellent shape, judging by their recent results, and will be trying to defeat a strong opponent in their first November contest.
Avtomobilist will be seeking a third straight win when the Motormen host Neftekhimik today. The Wolves lost their previous couple of matches and slipped down to sixth place in the Eastern Conference table. The two sides met on Saturday, with Avtomobilist claiming a 3:2 win thanks to Nick Ebert’s game-winning goal. Later, Avtomobilist defeated Traktor (5:4), while Neftekhimik lost to Lada (0:3). However, the Motormen will have to do without leading forward Anatoly Golyshev, who has been put on IL by his team.
In the meantime, Metallurg will host Sibir. Both teams are on losing streaks, and will be seeking to bounce back and climb up in the standings. Magnitka recently lost to Avangard (2:3 OT) and Ak Bars (1:4), while Sibir lost its previous five matches, including a 0:5 loss to Traktor on Wednesday. Today, one team will finally celebrate a win, and this will have its impact on the Eastern Conference’s standings.
In the last game in the East, Ak Bars will welcome Lokomotiv. The Motormen are one of the hottest teams in the league, having celebrated six straight wins, including defeating SKA in St. Petersburg on Wednesday (3:2). The Tatarstan franchise also seems to be in good shape, with three consecutive victories, over Admiral (twice, 2:0, 4:2) and Metallurg (4:1), respectively. It’s the first time the two sides meet for this season, and it will be an exciting match at the Kazan Arena. Ak Bars will end today a four-game home series. For Lokomotiv, several leading players are on an active scoring streak, including Maxim Beryozkin, who had a point in an impressive ten straight games.
In the Western Conference, Severstal faces Kunlun Red Star. After a long losing streak, the Dragons finally celebrated a win, shutting out Barys on Wednesday (2:0), getting out of the bottom of the conference’s standings. The teams swapped wins this season, but Severstal seems to be on an even better shape than Kunlun Red Star, with five straight wins. Recently, the Dragons had a change in their roster as they parted ways with forward Tyler Wong, who only played five games for Kunlun Red Star this season.
17:00: Avtomobilist (12-6-2, 2nd E) vs Neftekhimik (8-9-5, 6th E)
About the game
Avtomobilist plays the lone home game of the series following two straight victories.
Neftekhimik starts a two-game road trip on a two-match losing streak.
Avtomobilist defeated Neftekhimik twice this season (2:1, 3:2).
Injury list
Avtomobilist: Anatoly Golyshev, Daniil Karpovich, Denis Romantsev.
Neftekhimik: Roman Abrosimov, Vladimir Bryukvin, Jean-Sebastien Dea, Alexander Dergachyov.
Milestone alert
Avtomobilist’s defenseman Maxim Osipov lines up for his 600th KHL game.
17:00: Metallurg (10-11-1, 5th E) vs Sibir (9-10-1, 8th E)
About the game
Metallurg plays the lone home game of the series and lost its previous couple of matches.
Sibir ends a three-game road trip on a five-match losing streak.
Metallurg’s forward Danila Yurov netted a goal in each of his previous three games.
Injury list
Sibir: Yegor Martynov.
Milestone alert
Sibir’s defenseman Roman Rukavishnikov may reach 100 career points (currently at 99).
19:30: Ak Bars (12-6-0, 3rd E) vs Lokomotiv (18-2-2, 1st W)
About the game
Ak Bars ends a four-game home series on a three-game winning streak.
Lokomotiv is in the middle of a three-game road trip and won its previous six matches.
Ak Bars’ forward Alexander Barabanov had at least an assist in each of his previous four matches, totaling five helpers.
Ak Bars’ forward Kirill Semyonov is on a three-game scoring streak, with 5 (2+3) points.
Lokomotiv’s goalie Alexei Melnichuk is on an 82:51 shutout streak.
Lokomotiv’s forward Maxim Beryozkin is on a ten-game scoring streak, with 11 (3+8) points over that span.
Lokomotiv’s forward Artur Kayumov is on a four-game scoring streak, with 6 (2+4) points.
Lokomotiv’s forward Alexander Radulov is also on a four-game scoring streak, with 3 (2+1) points.
Lokomotiv’s defenseman Martin Gernat had at least one assist in each of his previous three games, totaling four helpers.
Injury list
Ak Bars: Nic Petan.
Milestone alert
Ak Bars’ forward Alexander Barabanov may record his 100th KHL assist (currently at 99).
Ak Bars’ goalie Amir Miftakhov may reach 10 league shutouts.
Lokomotiv’s forward Maxim Beryozkin may reach 100 league points (currently at 99).
Lokomotiv’s forward Maxim Shalunov may net his 200th KHL tally (currently at 199).
19:30: Severstal (13-7-0, 5th W) vs Kunlun Red Star (7-12-2, 10th W)
About the game
Severtal ends a three-game home series on a five-match winning streak.
Kunlun Red Star ends a two-game road trip following a win over Barys on Wednesday (2:0).
The teams traded wins this season so far (4:2, 0:3).
Severstal’s goalie Alexander Samoilov is on a 69:49 shutout streak.
Severstal’s forward Ruslan Abrosimov is on a five-game scoring streak, with 7 (1+6) points over that span.
Kunlun Red Star’s goalie Jeremy Smith is on a 70:25 shutout streak.
Injury list
Severstal: Timofei Davydov, Makar Fomin, Alexander Skorenov.
