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Three riveting matchups on a tense KHL matchday!
With exciting action spanning the Urals derby, a clash of in-form Eastern teams in Togliatti, and a classic Western Conference matchup in St. Petersburg, today’s KHL matchday promises high-stakes hockey. Both Traktor and Avtomobilist are fighting to solidify their positions, Lada aims to continue its winning streak against Metallurg, and SKA faces Dynamo Moscow in a pivotal showdown. Each game offers compelling narratives and intense competition as teams look to strengthen their playoff aspirations across both conferences.
The Urals derby sees the fourth edition this season, with the Motormen so far enjoying the lead in the series with two wins to Traktor’s one. Both teams have however lost their last match, with Traktor losing to Salavat Yulaev (1:4) and Avtomobilist falling to Spartak (4:5 SO). The Motormen only won twice in their last five games, and have then been overtaken by Salavat Yulaev in second place in the Eastern Conference. Traktor keeps on being on the top of the Eastern standings, although the Ufa team has two games to recover. Most recently, Traktor and Avtomobilist met on Nov. 30, with the Chelyabinsk side scoring a road win with two points coming from Charles Robinson and league leader Maxim Shabanov.
Then, in Togliatti, Lada welcomes Metallurg in a clash between two in-form teams. The hosts are on a three-game winning streak, marking their first victories since Oleg Bratash’s dismissal. Starting goalie Vladislav Podyapolsky has been exceptional during this stretch, allowing only one goal while earning shutouts against Severstal (3:0, 1:0) and securing a road win over Kunlun Red Star (2:1). On the other end of the rink, Metallurg has two straight wins and three victories in its last four matches. Magnitka defeated Torpedo (5:3), Barys (2:0), and Sibir (3:1), with a loss to Avangard (1:2 SO). With its streak, Lada climbed up to eighth place in the Eastern Conference’s standings, while Metallurg is currently the fifth seed.
Finally, in the lone Western game of the matchday, SKA hosts Dynamo Moscow in a classic matchup. It’s the first time the two sides meet this season, while last year the St. Petersburg franchise took the series 3-1. For now, Dynamo Moscow is better positioned in the standings, having one point more than SKA and being the third seed in the West, while SKA is fourth. Most recently, SKA, who will start a five-game homestand today, defeated Amur in Khabarovsk (7:5), while Dynamo Moscow lost to Ak Bars (4:5). Both sides accumulated three wins in their last five matches.
17:00: Traktor (21-8-4, 1st E) vs Avtomobilist (19-8-4, 3rd E)
About the game
Traktor plays the lone home game of the series following a loss to Salavat Yulaev on Monday (1:4).
Avtomobilist starts a five-game road trip on a two-match losing streak.
The season series between the two teams is 1-2 (2:3, 4:5, 5:3).
Avtomobilist’s forward Stephane Da Costa is on an eight-game scoring streak, with 12 (3+9) points over that span.
Avtomobilist’s forward Brooks Macek is on a four-game scoring streak, with 5 (2+3) points.
Avtomobilist’s forward Semyon Kizimov is on a three-game scoring streak, with 4 (1+3) points.
Injury list
Avtomobilist: Nick Ebert, Daniil Karpovich, Curtis Valk.
Milestone alert
Avtomobilist’s forward Brooks Macek may reach 250 KHL points (currently at 247).
18:00: Lada (13-13-5, 8th E) vs Metallurg (18-14-2, 5th E)
About the game
Lada ends a two-game home series on a three-match winning streak.
Metallurg is in the middle of a three-game road trip and won its previous couple of matches.
The season series between the two teams is 0-2 (1:2, 1:2 SO).
Lada’s goalie Vladislav Podyapolsky is on a 65:25 shutout streak.
Lada’s forward Andrei Altybarmakyan has recorded an assist in each of his last four games, while defenseman Magomed Sharakanov has achieved the same in his last three matches.
Injury list
Lada: Vladislav Chervonenko, Nikolai Demidov, Nikita Popugayev.
Milestone alert
Metallurg’s defenseman Artyom Minulin lines up for his 300th league appearance.
19:30: SKA (19-9-4, 4th W) vs Dynamo Moscow (20-10-3, 3rd W)
About the game
SKA starts a five-game home series fresh off a win over Amur on Saturday (7:5).
Dynamo Moscow ends a three-game road trip following a loss to Ak Bars on Tuesday (4:5).
SKA’s forward Marat Khairullin is on a five-game scoring streak, with 11 (6+5) points over that span.
Injury list
SKA: Zakhar Bardakov, Artyom Zemchyonok.
Milestone alert
Dynamo Moscow’s defenseman Kirill Gotovets lines up for his 400th league appearance.
