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CSKA faces Spartak for the fourth time this season; five games on a busy matchday
Five games headline today’s KHL action, starting with an Eastern clash between Neftekhimik and Avangard. The Hawks seek their fourth straight win while temporarily led by assistant Dave Barr. In the West, Spartak aims for a fourth victory over CSKA in this season’s Moscow derby, while Dynamo battles Admiral to stay ahead in the standings. Barys visits Kunlun after snapping its eight-game losing streak, and Torpedo faces SKA, looking to avoid a season sweep. With playoff races tightening, every point matters.
In the lone Eastern game of the night, Neftekhimik welcomes Avangard in the third encounter in the season between the two sides, with the Hawks claiming both previous contests. Avangard won its previous three matches, including a Siberian derby two days ago setting the first win for the new coaching staff, temporarily led by Dave Barr as Guy Boucher is still in Canada for health concerns. Neftekhimik also won its previous match, with the Wolves preceding Avangard in the standings by one point in seventh place in the Conference table. Things may change today after the game. Veteran Mikhail Pashnin may make his debut on the Wolves’ blue line as the team takes the ice for the first time following the December pause.
The action then moves to the West, starting with a Moscow derby between CSKA and Spartak. The Red-and-Whites defeated CSKA three times this season, an impressive feat, and will seek a fourth victory. Both sides enter today’s contest in good shape, with CSKA marching on a six-game winning streak and Spartak taking its previous three games. However, as it usually is with derbies, all will be reset before the first face off. With its recent winning streak, CSKA climbed up to fourth place in the West, while Spartak remains the second seed in the Conference
In the second Moscow game of the night, Dynamo hosts Admiral. The Sailors already defeated the Blue-and-Whites this season (4:1), in Vladivostok, and enter today’s game on a three-match winning streak. Differently from Admiral, Dynamo lost its most recent game, being surprised by Barys on Tuesday (0:2). The Sailors will be seeking their fourth straight wins, while Dynamo may end the day surpassed by CSKA in the Western Conference’s standings.
Following its win in Moscow, Barys moves on facing Kunlun Red Star. The Dragons have already defeated the Kazakhs earlier in the season, but they lost their last couple of matches, to CSKA (2:3) and Sibir (5:7), respectively. Before its sensational win over Dynamo Moscow, Barys lost eight straight matches, thus it will be helpful for the Kazakhs to win another game to get the ball rolling after a hard period. Anton Burdasov netted a double against Dynamo Moscow – he’ll be bringing his big shot to Mytyshchi as well. On top of that, Kunlun Red Star lost its last six home games to Barys.
In the last game of the matchday, SKA takes on Torpedo. Both games lost their most recent encounters. In particular, SKA lost to Lokomotiv (2:3), while Torpedo fell to Vityaz (5:6 SO). It will be the third game between the two sides this season so far, with SKA claiming both. In the standings, SKA has currently a five-point advantage over Torpedo, being in fifth place. Torpedo is currently the eighth seed in the Western Conference.
19:00: Neftekhimik (13-13-9, 7th E) vs Avangard (16-16-2, 8th E)
About the game
Neftekhimik plays the lone home game of the series following a win over Kunlun Red Star on Dec. 04 (5:2).
Avangard enters the second game of a four-match road trip on a three-game winning streak.
The season series between the two teams is 0-2 (2:4, 2:3 OT).
Neftekhimik’s forward Nikita Khoruzhev is on a five-game scoring streak, with 6 (2+4) points over that span.
Neftekhimik’s defenseman Artyom Serikov had an assist in each of his previous three games.
Neftekhimik’s forward Andrei Belozyorov is also on a three-game scoring streak, with 4 (3+1) points.
Avangard’s forward Emil Galimov is on a four-game scoring streak, with 5 (3+2) points.
Avangard’s forward Reid Boucher is on a three-game scoring streak, with 4 (3+1) points.
Avangard’s forward Ryan Spooner is also on a three-game scoring streak, with 7 (2+5) points.
Avangard’s defenseman Ryan Merkley is on a three-game scoring streak, with 3 (1+2) points.
Injury list
Neftekhimik: Roman Abrosimov, Alexander Dergachyov.
Avangard: Sergei Boikov, Alex Grant, Ilya Reingardt, Vladimir Tkachyov.
Milestone alert
Avangard’s forward Reid Boucher lines up for his 300th league appearance. He has 151 goals and 124 assist throughout his KHL career.
19:30: CSKA (20-7-7, 4th W) vs Spartak (23-8-4, 2nd W)
About the game
CSKA enters the second game of a four-match home series on a six-game winning streak.
Spartak enters the sixth game of a thirteen-match road trip on a three-game winning streak.
The season series between the two teams is 0-3 (2:4, 2:3 OT, 1:2).
CSKA’s forward Vitaly Abramov is on a three-game scoring streak, with 5 (3+2) points over that span.
His linemate Prokhor Poltapov had at least one assist in each of his previous three matches, totaling four helpers.
Spartak’s forward Alexander Pashin is on a three-game scoring streak, with 5 (3+2) points.
Spartak’s defenseman Michal Cajkovsky had at least one assist in each of his previous three matches, totaling four helpers.
Injury list
CSKA: Yegor Fateyev, Takhir Mingachyov, Dmitry Samorukov.
Spartak: Andrei Loktionov, Andrei Mironov.
19:30: Dynamo Moscow (22-11-3, 3rd W) vs Admiral (18-14-5, 6th E)
About the game
Dynamo Moscow enters the third game of a four-match home series following a loss to Barys on Tuesday (0:2).
Admiral, who defeated Dynamo Moscow earlier this season (4:1), is in the middle of a five-game road trip and won its previous three matches.
Admiral’s forward Nikita Soshnikov is on a three-game scoring streak, with 3 (2+1) points over that span.
Admiral’s forward Daniil Gutik is also on a three-game scoring streak, with 5 (4+1) points.
Injury list
Admiral: Mario Grman.
Kunlun Red Star (13-20-4, 10th W) vs Barys (10-24-3, 11th E)
About the game
Kunlun Red Star, who defeated Barys earlier this season (2:0), starts a two-game home series on a two-match losing streak.
Barys enters the fourth game of a five-match road trip following a win over Dynamo Moscow on Tuesday (2:0).
Kunlun Red Star’s forward Tomas Jurco had at least one assist in each of his previous three matches, totaling four helpers.
Kunlun Red Star’s forward Tyler Graovac is also on a three-game scoring streak, with 5 (3+2) points over that span.
Barys’ goalie Nikita Boyarkin is on a 105:37 shutout streak.
Injury list
Kunlun Red Star: Semyon Sinyatkin.
Barys: Roman Starchenko.
Milestone alert
Kunlun Red Star’s goalie Jeremy Smith may reach his 10th KHL shutout.
19:30: SKA (20-11-4, 5th W) vs Torpedo (16-12-7, 8th E)
About the game
SKA enters the fourth game of a five-match home series following a loss to Lokomotiv on Tuesday (2:3).
Torpedo ends a two-game road trip after a loss to Vityaz also on Tuesday (5:6 SO).
The season series between the two teams is 2-0 (4:3, 4:1).
SKA’s forward Marat Khairullin is on an eight-game scoring streak, with 14 (6+8) points over that span.
Injury list
SKA: Artyom Zemchyonok.
Torpedo: Artyom Misnikov.
Milestone alert
Torpedo’s defenseman Anton Silayev lines up for his 100th league appearance.
