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Avangard faces Avtomobilist, Dynamo Moscow welcomes Metallurg
Only two games, one per each Conference, are on tap on a light KHL Saturday.
First, Avangard clashes with Avtomobilist in the Eastern Conference. Earlier this season, both meetings between these opponents ended in victories for Avtomobilist (3:0, 4:2). Heading into the new matchup, the Motormen come in with a three-game losing streak. During this stretch, they lost twice to local rivals Traktor (3:5, 1:3) and also to Spartak (4:5 SO). Avangard managed to secure a win in their last game against HC Sochi (6:0). Goalie Pavel Khomchenko played a shutout, extending his scoreless streak to 97 minutes and 8 seconds. Omsk is in 9th place in the East with 30 points, while Avtomobilist is in the top 4 of the conference with 42 points.
In Magnitogorsk, Metallurg welcomes Dynamo Moscow. Magnitka will finish its three-game road trip and aim for their fourth consecutive victory. Previously, the Steelers shut out Lada in Togliatti (4:0), thanks to a hat-trick from Roman Kantserov and a shutout from goalie Alexander Smolin. Dynamo returned home from Saint Petersburg, where they secured a win over SKA (4:2). This victory allowed the Blue-and-Whites to strengthen their hold on third place in the West, with their lead over SKA now growing to three points. Metallurg is in fifth place in the Eastern Conference.
14:00: Avangard (14-16-2, 9th E) vs Avtomobilist (19-9-4, 3rd E)
About the game
Avangard ends a three-game home series following a win over HC Sochi on Wednesday (6:0).
Avtomobilist enters the second game of a five-match road trip on a three-game losing streak.
The season series between the two teams is 0-2 (0:3, 2:4).
Avtomobilist’s forward Stephane Da Costa is on a nine-game scoring streak, with 13 (3+10) points over that span.
Avtomobilist’s forward Brooks Macek is on a five-game scoring streak, with 6 (3+3) points.
Avangard’s goalie Pavel Khomchenko is on a 97:08 shutout streak.
Injury list
Avangard: Mikhail Berdin, Sergei Boikov, Alex Grant, Vladimir Tkachyov.
Avtomobilist: Nick Ebert, Daniil Karpovich, Curtis Valk.
Milestone alert
Avtomobilist’s forward Brooks Macek may reach 250 KHL points (currently at 248).
17:00: Dynamo Moscow (21-10-3, 3rd W) vs Metallurg (19-14-2, 5th E)
About the game
Dynamo Moscow starts a four-game home series fresh off a win over SKA on Thursday (4:2).
Metallurg, who defeated Dynamo Moscow earlier this season (5:3), ends a three-game road trip on a three-match winning streak.
Dynamo Moscow’s forward Nikita Gusev is on a three-game scoring streak, with 3 (1+2) points over that span.
Dynamo Moscow’s forward Maxim Dzhioshvili is also on a three-game scoring streak, with 4 (3+1) points.
Dynamo Moscow’s forward Artyom Mikheyev is on a three-game scoring streak, with 4 (2+2) points.
Metallurg’s goalie Alexander Smolin is on a 69:41 shutout streak.
Injury list
Metallurg: Ilya Nabokov.
Milestone alert
Dynamo Moscow’s forward Pavel Kudryavtsev lines up for his 100th KHL game.
