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Ak Bars and Dynamo Moscow set for a key clash in Kazan!
Ak Bars hosts Dynamo Moscow in a highly anticipated matchup, marking the first clash between these two contenders this season. The Kazan team, led by head coach Anvar Gatiyatulin in his 400th KHL game, looks to build on its recent OT win against HC Sochi. Dynamo Moscow continues its road trip following a dramatic extra time victory against Kunlun Red Star. Elsewhere, Severstal faces Lada in Cherepovets in a revenge match, and Metallurg takes on Torpedo in Magnitogorsk, with both teams coming off impressive shutout performances. A total of three games are on today’s schedule, promising thrilling KHL action.
In Cherepovets, Severstal will attempt to bounce back from their goalless home loss to Lada (0:3) six days ago. Since then, both teams have played one game each. The Togliatti side achieved an away victory over Kunlun Red Star (2:1), while Severstal also secured a road win, overcoming Avangard (4:2) after recovering from a two-goal deficit. Andrey Kozyrev’s team currently holds sixth place in the Western Conference with 36 points. Lada, with seven points fewer, is still battling for the eighth spot in the East, competing closely with Avangard and Sibir, who are nearly level with the Togliatti team in points.
Then, in Kazan, Ak Bars hosts Dynamo Moscow. For the home head coach Anvar Gatiyatulin, the upcoming game will mark his 400th in the KHL behind the bench. Ak Bars enters the match following an away victory over HC Sochi (3:2 OT), highlighted by a double from Artyom Galimov. In goal, 21-year-old Maxim Arefyev stepped in once again, successfully covering for injured Timur Bilyalov and Amir Miftakhov. Dynamo continues its three-game road trip, which began with a win against Kunlun Red Star in Mytishchi (5:4 OT). The Blue-and-Whites hold third place in the Western Conference with 43 points, while Ak Bars sits fourth in the East with four points fewer. This will be the first meeting between the two high-profile teams this season.
In the last game of the matchday, Metallurg hosts Torpedo. The first meeting between these opponents this season took place on October 10 in Magnitogorsk and ended in a high-scoring victory for Torpedo (5:4). Currently, the Nizhny Novgorod team is on fire, securing back-to-back shutouts against Western Conference leaders. After defeating Lokomotiv (3:0), Igor Larionov’s squad achieved an equally impressive triumph over Spartak (6:0). Goaltender Ivan Bocharov has been impenetrable, with a shutout streak exceeding three hours of clean ice time—185:43. His Magnitogorsk counterpart, Alexander Smolin, boasts a shutout streak of 105:32, having kept Barys off the scoreboard in their last game (2:0). Torpedo, with 35 points, is vying for sixth place in the West, while Magnitka, with one point more, holds the fifth spot in the East.
18:00: Lada (12-13-5, 8th E) vs Severstal (18-13-0, 6th W)
About the game
Lada, who defeated Severstal earlier in the season (3:0), starts a two-game home series on a two-match winning streak.
Severstal ends a two-game road trip and defeated Avangard on Sunday (4:2).
Lada’s forward Andrei Altybarmakyan had an assist in each of his previous three matches.
Injury list
Lada: Vladislav Chervonenko, Nikolai Demidov, Nikita Popugayev.
19:00: Ak Bars (19-9-1, 4th E) vs Dynamo Moscow (20-9-3, 3rd W)
About the game
Ak Bars plays the lone home game of the series on a two-match winning streak.
Dynamo Moscow is in the middle of a three-game road trip and defeated Kunlun Red Star on Sunday (5:4 OT).
Ak Bars’ goalie Amir Miftakhov is on an 89:19 shutout streak.
Ak Bars’ forward Ilya Safonov is on a four-game scoring streak, with 5 (1+4) points over that span.
Dynamo Moscow’s goalie Hunter Miska is on an 87:42 shutout streak.
Injury list
Ak Bars: Yegor Babenko.
Injury list
Ak Bars’ head coach Anvar Gatiyatulin reaches 400 games as a KHL head coach. His overall career record is 196-203.
Ak Bars’ forward Semyon Koshelev lines up for his 500th league appearance.
Ak Bars’ forward Dmitrij Jaskin may reach 100 KHL assists (currently at 99).
Dynamo Moscow’s forward Artyom Mikheyev plays his 400th KHL game.
19:30: Torpedo (15-11-5, 8th W) vs Metallurg (17-14-2, 5th E)
About the game
Torpedo, who defeated Metallurg earlier in the season (5:4), starts a three-game home series on a two-match winning streak.
Metallurg starts a three-game road trip fresh off a win over Barys on Friday (2:0).
Torpedo’s goalie Ivan Bocharov is on a 185:43 shutout streak.
Torpedo’s forward Dmitry Kagarlitsky had at least one assist in each of his previous three matches, totaling five helpers.
Torpedo’s defenseman Vyacheslav Voynov is also on a three-game scoring streak, with 3 (2+1) points over that span.
Metallurg’s goalie Alexander Smolin is on a 105:32 shutout streak.
Milestone alert
Metallurg’s forward Daniil Vovchenko may reach 250 KHL points (currently at 249).
