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Spartak faces Torpedo while CSKA challenges Ak Bars in Moscow duels
The KHL action heats up with a pair of Moscow matchups today, featuring Spartak hosting Torpedo and CSKA taking on Ak Bars. In the East, Neftekhimik hosts Kunlun Red Star, while HC Sochi welcomes Lada and Severstal welcomes Salavat Yulaev in an exciting five-game KHL Monday.
Spartak seeks to extend their winning streak in the final game of a six-match home series, while Torpedo aims to build momentum after a statement victory over Lokomotiv. Meanwhile, CSKA faces a tough test against Ak Bars as both teams battle for playoff positioning. The exciting doubleheader highlights a day packed with hockey action, promising fierce competition on the ice.
In the lone Eastern Conference’s game of the matchday, Neftekhimik welcomes Kunlun Red Star. The Dragons will conclude their three-game road trip and has the chance to extend its winning streak to four games. Over the past stretch, Mikhail Kravets’ team has conceded only two goals, securing victories over Dinamo Minsk (3:0), Avtomobilist (2:1 SO), and Traktor (4:1). The visitors have 25 points—three more than HC Sochi—although they have played three more games. Their gap from the playoff zone stands at seven points. Meanwhile, Neftekhimik recently defeated Salavat Yulaev on home ice (4:2). With 30 points, Nizhnekamsk confidently holds seventh place in the Eastern Conference.
The aforementioned HC Sochi hosts Lada, who has never achieved an away win over the Black Sea franchise. Sochi enters this game after two consecutive losses to Barys (3:6) and Sibir (2:4). Sergei Zubov’s team sits last in the Western Conference, trailing Kunlun Red Star by three points but with three games in hand. Lada, on the other hand, is struggling with a five-game losing streak, having yet to win since Oleg Bratash stepped down as head coach. This poor form is heavily impacting their standings—they are now tenth in the East, though only one point separates them from the coveted playoff zone.
In Cherepovets, Severstal will face Salavat Yulaev for the first time this season. The Ufa team concludes a three-game road trip following a loss to Neftekhimik (2:4). With 36 points, the visitors are currently third in the Eastern Conference. Severstal, on the other hand, aims to extend their winning streak to three games after victories against Admiral (2:1) and Ak Bars (7:5). With 34 points, the Cherepovets side holds sixth place in the West. Ahead of the game, the hosts made a trade with Kunlun Red Star, parting ways with defenseman Joseph Duszak, who netted one goal in just nine appearances for the Steelers.
The action then moves to Moscow for two games. In the first game, Ak Bars will aim to bounce back from a recent home loss to CSKA. On November 17, the Kazan team failed to score against the Muscovites, falling 0:3. Following this, CSKA defeated Lada (4:1) but suffered a setback against Traktor in Chelyabinsk (2:5). Similarly, the visitors had mixed results, pairing a victory in the Tatarstan derby against Neftekhimik (2:0) with a defeat to Severstal (5:7). Both teams currently have 35 points, with CSKA in fifth place in the Western Conference, while Ak Bars holds the fourth spot in the East.
Then, Spartak welcomes Torpedo. The Red-and-Whites will wrap up an extended six-game homestand. Spartak currently boasts a four-game winning streak, with their most recent triumph being a dramatic comeback from a three-goal deficit against Vityaz (5:4 OT). Meanwhile, Torpedo travels to Moscow fresh off a convincing victory over season leader Lokomotiv in Yaroslavl (3:0). Goalie Ivan Bocharov extended his impressive shutout streak. Spartak holds second place in the Western Conference with 43 points. Can Torpedo follow up their win over Lokomotiv by toppling its closest conference rival? The Nizhny Novgorod side may count on a full roster, while Spartak will still miss key defenseman Andrei Mironov.
19:00: Neftekhimik (11-12-8, 7th E) vs Kunlun Red Star (11-16-3, 10th W)
About the game
Neftekhimik is in the middle of a three-game home series and defeated Salavat Yulaev on Saturday (4:2).
Kunlun Red Star ends a three-game road trip on a three-match winning streak.
Kunlun Red Star’s forward Spencer Foo is on a four-game scoring streak, with 5 (2+3) points over that span.
Injury list
Neftekhimik: Roman Abrosimov, Alexander Dergachyov.
Milestone alert
Kunlun Red Star’s goalie Jeremy Smith may record his 10th KHL shutout.
19:30: HC Sochi (10-15-2, 11th W) vs Lada (10-12-5, 10th E)
About the game
HC Sochi enters the fourth game of a five-match home series following two straight defeats.
Lada starts a three-game road trip on a five-match losing streak.
HC Sochi’s defenseman Ilya Fedotov is on a three-game scoring streak, with 3 (1+2) points over that span.
Injury list
HC Sochi: Andrei Nikonov, Denis Vengryzhanovsky.
Lada: Vladislav Chervonenko, Nikita Popugayev.
Milestone alert
Lada’s goalie Vladislav Podyapolsky may record his 20th KHL shutout.
Lada’s forward Nikita Mikhailov lines up for his 200th league appearance.
Lada’s forward Mikhail Fisenko may reach 100 KHL assists (currently at 99).
19:30: Severstal (17-11-0, 6th W) vs Salavat Yulaev (17-8-2, 3rd E)
About the game
Severstal enters the fourth game of a five-match home series on a two-game winning streak.
Salavat Yulaev ends a three-game road trip and lost to Neftekhimik on Friday (2:4).
Injury list
Severstal: Alexei Kruchinin, Alexander Skorenov.
Salavat Yulaev: Gleb Kuzmin.
Milestone alert
Salavat Yulaev’s forward Danil Alalykin lines up for his 200th league appearance.
19:30: CSKA (14-6-7, 5th W) vs Ak Bars (17-9-1, 4th W)
About the game
CSKA, who defeated Ak Bars earlier this season (3:0), plays the lone home game of the series after a losing effort against Traktor on Thursday (2:5).
Ak Bars is in the middle of a three-game road trip and lost to Severstal on Saturday (5:7).
Ak Bars’ goalie Amir Miftakhov is on an 89:19 shutout streak.
Injury list
Ak Bars: Yegor Babenko.
Milestone alert
CSKA’s forward Konstantin Okulov may reach 400 KHL points (currently at 399), while Ak Bars’ forward Semyon Koshelev may get to 200 (currently at 199).
Ak Bars’ forward Dmitrij Jaskin may record his 100th assist in the league (currently at 99).
19:30: Spartak (20-6-9, 2nd W) vs Torpedo (14-11-5, 8th W)
About the game
Spartak, who defeated Torpedo earlier this season (4:2), ends a six-game home series on a four-match winning streak.
Torpedo ends a three-game road trip following a win over Lokomotiv on Saturday (3:0).
Spartak’s forward Nikolai Goldobin is on a five-game scoring streak, with 9 (2+7) points over that span.
Spartak’s forward Pavel Poryadin is on a four-game scoring streak, with 4 (2+2) points.
Spartak’s forward Ivan Morozov is also on a four-game scoring streak, with 8 (6+2) points.
Spartak’s forward Adam Ruzicka is on a three-game scoring streak, with 4 (1+3) points.
Spartak’s defenseman Yegor Savikov is on a three-game scoring streak, with 6 (1+5) points.
Torpedo’s goalie Ivan Bocharov is on a 125:45 shutout streak.
Injury list
Spartak: Andrei Mironov.
