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SKA aims to snap losing streak in Novosibirsk, Metallurg faces Traktor
Wednesday's KHL action brings six exciting matchups, highlighted by SKA’s visit to Novosibirsk, where they aim to halt a five-game losing streak. Meanwhile, Avangard faces Dynamo Moscow, seeking consistency to climb the standings, and Metallurg hosts Traktor in a classic rivalry that could impact Eastern Conference rankings. Neftekhimik and Barys meet again after their recent clash, Ak Bars challenges Kunlun Red Star, and Dinamo Minsk squares off with Torpedo, with both teams fighting for critical playoff points.
SKA is traveling to Novosibirsk to try to recover from a heavy five-game losing streak, a disappointing result that the franchise will want to forget starting with a win in today’s game. The hosts, however, are also on a losing streak after home losses to Salavat Yulaev (2:3 SO) and Metallurg (1:4), and will want to bounce back. It will be the second meeting between the two sides this season, with SKA grabbing the early win.
The last team SKA lost to is Avangard. The Hawks are on a disappointing tenth place in the Eastern Conference’s standings as they are struggling to find consistency in their results. One of their latest signings, returnee forward Nikolai Prokhorkin, is on a scoring streak, but in the meantime the team lost one of its top players, Linden Vey. The playoffs line is only three points above, but climbing up will be hard. Today’s opposition is Dynamo Moscow. The Blue-and-Whites are in fifth place in the West after a surprising home loss to Lada (2:3).
Metallurg vs. Traktor is one of the most exciting rivalries in Russian hockey history. Right now, both teams are in top form: the reigning champions face off against the conference leaders. Magnitka is a bit lower in the standings, but the Eastern Conference is so tightly packed that only a couple of points separate the third- and sixth-place teams. For Andrei Razin’s squad, taking points from Traktor has become a matter of principle. While Traktor might be considered the favorite for multiple reasons, this matchup promises to be thrilling no matter what. The home team is riding a three-game winning streak, and this will add a further layer of uncertainty to the match.
Then, Neftekhimik and Barys will have a rematch after the Wolves’ 4:1 home win two days ago. The two sides also recently met in Kazakhstan, with Barys claiming a 2:1 SO victory. The Kazakhs will be seeking a win after three straight losses, but they need to improve their offensive game and find a way to the back of the net—even Amur scored more goals so far in this first part of the season.
In the last Eastern Conference game of the matchday, Ak Bars faces Kunlun Red Star. Both sides lost their last match, against Lokomotiv (1:2) and Spartak (1:5), respectively, but Ak Bars had four straight games with points (three wins and one SO loss), while the Dragons had only two wins. Ak Bars enters today’s game as the third seed in the Eastern Conference, while Kunlun Red Star sits at the bottom of the West’s table.
The action then moves to Minsk, where Dinamo will host Torpedo as the teams face for the second time this season, with the Bisons getting the first win. Only two points separate Dinamo Minsk and Torpedo in the standings, and this will be a key game for the playoff picture in the Western Conference. The Belarusians won their latest couple of matches, against Salavat Yulaev (3:2 SO) and Severstal (3:1), while Torpedo had a nice home win over HC Sochi (7:1) after two straight losses. In Torpedo’s last game, defenseman Bogdan Konyushkov had a hat-trick of assists.
15:30: Sibir (10-11-2, 9th E) vs SKA (15-9-2, 3rd W)
About the game
Sibir enters the third game of a four-match home series following two straight losses.
SKA, who defeated Sibir earlier this season (6:3), is in the middle of a three-game road trip and lost its previous five matches.
Injury list
Sibir: Yegor Martynov.
SKA: Artyom Zemchyonok.
Milestone alert
Sibir’s defenseman Roman Rukavishnikov may score his 100th KHL point (currently at 99).
SKA’s forward Mikhail Vorobyov may reach 100 league assists (currently at 99).
16:30: Avangard (9-12-2, 10th E) vs Dynamo Moscow (13-8-3, 5th W)
About the game
Avangard enters the second game of a five-match home series following a win over SKA on Monday (2:1).
Dynamo Moscow starts a three-game road trip after a loss to Lada on Friday (2:3).
Avangard’s forward Nikolai Prokhorkin is on a three-game scoring streak, with 5 (1+4) points over that span.
Dynamo Moscow’s forward Dmitry Rashevsky is on a four-game scoring streak, with 4 (2+2) points.
Dynamo Moscow’s forward Nikita Gusev is on a three-game scoring streak, with 6 (3+3) points.
Injury list
Avangard: Mikhail Berdin, Vladimir Tkachyov, Dmitry Zlodeyev.
Milestone alert
Avangard’s defenseman Damir Sharipzyanov may reach 200 KHL points (currently at 199), while defenseman Andrei Sergeyev may reach 100 (currently at 99).
17:00: Metallurg (13-12-1, 6th E) vs Traktor (17-5-3, 1st E)
About the game
Metallurg plays the lone home game of the series on a three-game winning streak.
Traktor ends a three-game road trip after a win over Amur on Monday (4:3).
Traktor’s forward Andrei Svetlakov is on a five-game scoring streak, with 5 (2+3) points over that span.
Traktor’s forward Nikita Tertyshny is on a three-game scoring streak, with 3 (2+1) points.
Injury list
Traktor: Artyom Blazhiyevsky.
Milestone alert
Metallurg’s goalie Ilya Nabokov may record his 50th KHL win.
19:00: Neftekhimik (9-11-6, 9th E) vs Barys (6-16-2, 11th E)
About the game
Neftekhimik ends a three-game home series following a win over Barys on Monday (4:1).
Barys enters the second game of a four-match road trip on a three-game losing streak.
The season series between the two teams is 2-1 (2:1 OT, 1:2 SO, 4:1).
Neftekhimik’s forward Evgeny Mityakin is on a four-game scoring streak, with 6 (2+4) points over that span.
Neftekhimik’s forward Riley Barber had an assist in each of his previous four matches.
Barys’ forward Kirill Savitsky is on a four-game scoring streak, with 4 (1+3) points.
Injury list
Neftekhimik: Roman Abrosimov, Alexander Dergachyov.
Barys: Viktor Antipin, Damir Zhafyarov.
Milestone alert
Neftekhimik’s defenseman Bogdan Kiselevich may score his 200th KHL point (currently at 199).
Neftekhimik’s forward Kirill Urakov lines up for his 400th league appearance.
Barys’ forward Dinmukhamed Kaiyrzhan may reach 100 KHL games.
19:10: Dinamo Minsk (13-10-1, 8th W) vs Torpedo (12-9-5, 7th W)
About the game
Dinamo Minsk, who defeated Torpedo earlier this season (5:2), ends a four-game home series on a two-match winning streak.
Torpedo plays the lone road game of the series following a win over HC Sochi on Monday (7:1).
Injury list
Dinamo Minsk: Andrei Stas.
Milestone alert
Torpedo’s forward Kirill Voronin may reach 100 KHL assists (currently at 99).
Torpedo’s goalie Ivan Bocharov may record his 30th KHL shutout.
19:30: Ak Bars (14-7-1, 3rd E) vs Kunlun Red Star (8-15-2, 11th W)
About the game
Ak Bars starts a four-game home series following a loss to Lokomotiv on Saturday (1:2).
Kunlun Red Star starts a two-game road trip on a two-match winning streak.
Injury list
Ak Bars: Nic Petan.
Milestone alert
Ak Bars’ forward Dmitrij Jaskin may record his 100th KHL assist (currently at 99).
Ak Bars’ goalie Timur Bilyalov may line up for his 300th league appearance.
Ak Bars’ goalie Amir Miftakhov may reach 10 KHL shutouts.
