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Momentum on the line: CSKA vs Lada and Spartak’s quest for top spots
Three matchups to watch in the KHL today: CSKA takes on a surging Lada, Spartak visits Kunlun Red Star, and Dinamo Minsk hosts Severstal. CSKA aims to rebound from its derby loss, while Lada enters on a three-game win streak. Meanwhile, Spartak faces Kunlun in search of a fifth consecutive victory, and Severstal looks to extend its winning streak to eight games against Dinamo Minsk.
CSKA will host Lada after a defeat in the Moscow Derby against Spartak on Thursday (1:2). Lada, instead, is in Moscow for its second consecutive games after defeating Dynamo on Friday, with a memorable, lacrosse-style goal by young defenseman Magomed Sharakanov. The Togliatti side is riding a three-game winning streak, and has climbed up to seventh place in the Eastern Conference, while CSKA is the sixth seed in the West.
After the win over CSKA, Spartak will face Kunlun Red Star in Mytishchi. The Red-and-Whites have four straight wins, despite Alexei Zhamnov’s vocal disappointing with the team’s performances, and overtook SKA as the second team in the Western Conference. The Muscovites defeated Vityaz (4:3 OT), HC Sochi (twice, 4:0, 3:1), and CSKA (2:1). The Dragons won two of their last five matches (2:1 OT against SKA and 2:0 over Barys), but also got one precious point in a home game against CSKA (3:4 OT). They are still seven points to the playoff places.
In the last game of the matchday, Dinamo Minsk hosts Severstal as the two sides face off for the fifth time this season, with the Steelers claiming three wins. Severstal is currently on a hot streak with seven consecutive victories, a series that allowed the team climb up to a solid fourth place in the Western Conference’s standings. The Belarusians are lacking consistency in their results of late, with just two wins in their last five matches—a period that included a 2:5 away loss to today’s opponents and a 1:4 home defeat to Vityaz. Today, the Bisons will try to bounce back and halt Severstal’s streak as a packed Minsk Arena is to be expected for the game.
13:00: CSKA (10-5-7, 7th W) vs Lada (10-9-3, 7th E)
About the game
CSKA is in the middle of a three-game home series and lost to Spartak on Thursday (1:2).
Lada enters the fourth game of a five-match road trip on a three-game winning streak.
Lada’s forward Nikita Popugayev is on a three-game scoring streak, with 3 (2+1) points over that span.
Lada’s forward Troy Joseph is also on a three-game scoring streak, with 5 (1+4) points.
Lada’s defenseman Magomed Sharakanov is on a three-game scoring streak, with 4 (2+2) points.
Injury list
CSKA: Yegor Afanasyev.
Lada: Andrei Altybarmakyan, Vladislav Chervonenko, Nikolai Demidov, Evgeny Groshev.
Milestone alert
CSKA’s forward Maxim Mamin lines up for his 500th KHL game. He has 101 goals and 123 assists in his league’s career.
CSKA’s forward Konstantin Okulov may reach 400 points in the KHL (currently at 398).
Lada’s goalie Vladislav Podyapolsky may record his 20th KHL shutout.
17:00: Kunlun Red Star (8-14-2, 11th W) vs Spartak (15-5-3, 2nd W)
About the game
Kunlun Red Star ends a three-game home series following a loss to Severstal on Friday (3:4).
Spartak ends a four-game road trip on a four-match winning streak.
Spartak’s forward Daniel Usmanov is on a three-game scoring streak, with 3 (1+2) points over that span.
Injury list
Spartak: Daniil Ivanov.
17:10: Dinamo Minsk (12-10-1, 8th W) vs Severstal (15-7-0, 4th W)
About the game
Dinamo Minsk enters the third game of a four-match home series following a win over Salavat Yulaev on Thursday (3:2 SO).
Severstal enters the second game of a four-match road trip on a seven-game winning streak.
The season series between the two teams is 1-3 (3:1, 2:3, 2:3 SO, 2:5).
Dinamo Minsk’s forward Sam Anas is on a three-game scoring streak, with 3 (1+2) points over that span.
Severstal’s forward Kirill Pilipenko is on a three-game scoring streak, with 5 (3+2) points.
Sevestal’s forward David Dumbadze is also on a three-game scoring streak, with 6 (3+3) points.
