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Struggling Eastern teams seek redemption as playoff race heats up!
Four games are on the KHL schedule this Tuesday, with Eastern Conference teams facing critical moments. Amur looks to break its eight-game losing streak and an unfortunate scoreless record, while Metallurg tries to recover on its Far East road trip. Sibir and Salavat Yulaev clash with momentum from recent wins, and Barys aims to build on rare back-to-back victories as Ak Bars seeks to maintain its top-three standing.
Amur will try to return to victory after eight consecutive losses and a record-breaking five consecutive matches without scoring. That unenviable streak put the Tigers at just ten minutes to Spartak’s negative records with more than 317 minutes without a goal in the 2012-2013 campaign. However, Amur has already defeated Avangard earlier this season, courtesy of a double by Devin Brosseau, who won’t be playing today. The Hawks aren’t in an ideal position either, being only in tenth place in the East, with a defeat in their most recent encounter (1:3 to Lada). It will be the first November game for Avangard, who recently lost one of its leaders, Linden Vey, who flew back to Canada for family reasons. The contract with the 33-year-old veteran was dissolved.
Another Eastern big team is not in a good period, either. Metallurg embarked on its Far East road trip on a three-game losing streak. In their latest match, Metallurg lost to Sibir (3:4). The Gagarin Cup champion, with 21 points, is now teetering on the edge of the Eastern Conference playoff zone. Admiral is two points ahead, having secured wins against Salavat Yulaev (4:2) and Amur (5:0). Will the Vladivostok side be able to extend their winning streak as they start their home series? Ahead of the game, the Sailors placed forward Nikita Anokhovsky on waivers. For the visitors, injured forward Scott Wilson is expected to make a return to the lineup soon.
In Novosibirsk, Sibir will kick off a four-game home series, while Salavat Yulaev starts a three-game road trip. Both teams won their last matches. Sibir defeated Metallurg on the road (4:3), temporarily climbing to seventh place in the Eastern Conference with 21 points. Ufa has three points more. Prior to this, Viktor Kozlov’s team overcame one of the Western Conference leaders, SKA, in a home victory (4:2).
The last game of the matchday will play in Kazakhstan. Barys has only managed back-to-back wins once this season. The team will have another chance to achieve this after a home victory over Neftekhimik (2:1 SO). For the first time in a long while, the team has moved up from last place in the East, pushing Amur down. Their next opponent will be another team from Tatarstan. Ak Bars has already beaten the Kazakhs this season (Sept. 19 in Kazan, 5:0). In their latest match, Anvar Gatiyatulin’s squad couldn’t extend their winning streak to four games, losing a close home game to the league leader Lokomotiv (2:3 SO). With 25 points, Ak Bars is currently among the top three in the Eastern Conference.
12:00: Amur (5-15-2, 12th E) vs Avangard (7-12-1, 10th E)
About the game
Amur, who defeated Avangard earlier this season (3:2 SO), enters the second game of a five-match home series on an eight-game losing streak.
Avangard starts a two-game road trip following a loss to Lada on Thursday (1:3).
Amur failed to score in its last 307 minutes and 13 seconds of play.
Injury list
Amur: Devin Brosseau, Alexander Shevchenko.
Avangard: Mikhail Berdin, Stanislav Galiyev, Vladimir Tkachyov.
Milestone alert
Avangard’s forward Nikita Kholodilin lines up for his 100th league appearance.
Avangard’s defenseman Damir Sharipzyanov is looking for his 200th KHL point (currently at 199).
12:30: Admiral (10-9-3, 5th E) vs Metallurg (10-12-1, 8th)
About the game
Admiral starts a four-game home series on a two-match winning streak.
Metallurg starts a three-game road trip following three straight losses.
Admiral’s goalie Vasily Demchenko is on a 60:14 shutout streak.
Metallurg’s forward Danila Yurov is on a four-game scoring streak, with 4 (3+1) points over that span.
Milestone alert
Admiral’s goalie Vasily Demchenko may line up for his 350th KHL game.
15:00: Sibir (10-10-1, 7th E) vs Salavat Yulaev (12-7-0, 4th E)
About the game
Sibir starts a four-game home series fresh off a win over Metallurg on Friday (4:3).
Salavat Yulaev starts a three-game road trip after a victory against SKA on Saturday (4:2).
Injury list
Sibir: Yegor Martynov.
Salavat Yulaev: Gleb Kuzmin.
Milestone alert
Sibir’s defenseman Roman Rukavishnikov may reach 100 KHL points (currently at 99).
17:30: Barys (6-14-1, 11th E) vs Ak Bars (12-6-1, 3rd E)
About the game
Barys enters the third game of a four-match home series following a win over Neftekhimik on Sunday (2:1 SO).
Ak Bars, who defeated Barys earlier this season (5:0), starts a three-game road trip after losing to Lokomotiv on Friday (2:3 SO).
Injury list
Barys: Viktor Antipin, Connor Smith.
Ak Bars: Nic Petan.
Milestone alert
Barys’ forward Dinmukhamed Kaiyrzhan may line up for his 100th league appearance.
Ak Bars’ forward Alexander Barabanov may record his 100th assist in the KHL (currently at 99).
Ak Bars’ goalie Amir Miftakhov may reach 10 league shutouts.
