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Barys faces Sibir, Severstal hosts Lada, Sochi welcomes Ak Bars
Only three games are on tap on another light KHL matchday, with one game in the East and two in the West.
Barys will be trying to return to victory as the Kazakhs face Sibir for the second time this year, celebrating a win in the first encounter (3:1). Barys has, however, lost its previous couple of matches, and will be trying to bounce back. Today’s opposition, Sibir, who starts a short homestand today, is also not in the best position, with just one win in its last five games, on the road against HC Sochi (4:2). With this unfavorable streak, the Novosibirsk side slipped past the top eight in the East, while Barys is in eleventh place. Both teams will be seeking points to try and get closer to the playoff line.
Then, the action moves to the Western Conference, starting with Severstal hosting Lada. The Togliatti side is still trying to win its first game after dismissing head coach Oleg Bratash, and is currently on a six-game losing streak. Severstal has equally lost its last match, failing to score on home ice against Salavat Yulaev (0:2), but earlier won twice in a row, defeating Ak Bars (7:5) and Admiral (2:1). With regards to the standings, the Steelers are still in the playoff places in the West, while Lada is now the tenth team of the Eastern Conference.
Closing a light KHL matchday is a matchup between HC Sochi and Ak Bars. The two sides already met this season, with Kazan claiming a 5:2 victory. Moreover, both sides won their last game, with Sochi defeating Lada at home (3:2) and Ak Bars having the best of CSKA in Moscow (2:1). However, Ak Bars had three wins in the last five encounters, while Sochi only had two. The Kazan franchise is the third seed in the Eastern Conference, while HC Sochi is sitting at the bottom of the West, trailing Kunlun Red Star by three points. After today’s game, Ak Bars will fly home.
15:30: Sibir (11-14-3, 9th E) vs Barys (9-18-3, 11th E)
About the game
Sibir starts a two-game home series following a loss to Metallurg on Sunday (1:3).
Barys, who defeated Sibir earlier this season (3:1), starts a three-game road trip on a two-match losing streak.
Injury list
Barys: Viktor Antipin, Roman Starchenko, Damir Zhafyarov.
Milestone alert
Sibir’s defenseman Roman Rukavishnikov lines up for his 600th league appearance. He may celebrate with his 100th point (currently at 99).
Barys’ goalie Andrei Shutov may line up for his 50th KHL game.
19:00: Severstal (17-12-0, 7th W) vs Lada (10-13-5, 10th E)
About the game
Severstal ends a five-game home series following a loss to Salavat Yulaev on Monday (0:2).
Lada is in the middle of a three-game road trip and lost its previous six matches.
Injury list
Severstal: Alexei Kruchinin, Alexander Skorenov.
Lada: Vladislav Chervonenko, Nikolai Demidov, Nikita Popugayev.
Milestone alert
Lada’s goalie Vladislav Podyapolsky may record his 20th KHL shutout.
19:30: HC Sochi (11-15-2, 11th W) vs Ak Bars (18-9-1, 4th E)
About the game
HC Sochi ends a five-game home series following a win over Lada on Monday (3:2).
Ak Bars, who defeated HC Sochi earlier this season (5:2), ends a three-game road trip and defeated CSKA also on Monday (2:1).
HC Sochi’s defenseman Ilya Fedotov is on a four-game scoring streak, with 4 (2+2) points over that span.
Ak Bars’ goalie Amir Miftakhov is on an 89:19 shutout streak.
Ak Bars’ forward Ilya Safonov is on a three-game scoring streak, with 3 (1+2) points.
Injury list
HC Sochi: Andrei Nikonov, Denis Vengryzhanovsky.
Ak Bars: Yegor Babenko.
Milestone alert
Ak Bars’ forward Dmitrij Jaskin may record his 100th KHL assist (currently at 99).
