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Key clashes highlight today’s four-game action
Today’s action brings fans four exciting matchups across the KHL. Avangard aims to avenge their earlier home loss to Lada as they clash in Togliatti, while SKA seeks payback against Admiral after a shootout defeat in Vladivostok last month. Sibir continues their push toward the playoff zone with a game against Spartak, a team coming off a strong performance in Moscow. Meanwhile, Traktor faces Barys in Chelyabinsk, determined to bounce back from a recent defeat and maintain their battle for the top spot in the East.
The first Eastern game is between Sibir and Amur. The Tigers lost their last four games, including twice against Admiral (4:6, 1:4). Sibir continues its attempts to return to the playoff zone, but the gap has already grown to seven points. In their previous game, Vadim Yepanchintsev’s team fell short in the home Siberian derby against Avangard (3:5). Amur is currently the last seed in the Eastern Conference, and has recently let its goalie Igor Bobkov go.Then, in Chelyabinsk, Traktor welcomes Barys. After an unexpected away victory over Dynamo Moscow (2:0), the Kazakhs were unable to maintain the momentum, falling short against Kunlun Red Star (0:2). With 23 points, they remain second-to-last in the Eastern Conference, where Traktor continues its indirect battle with Salavat Yulaev for the top spot. The Urals team will aim to redeem themselves in front of their home fans following a previous loss to Dinamo Minsk (1:3). The hosts will be without forward Charles Robinson, sidelined for approximately two weeks due to a finger fracture sustained in training. That’s for sure a loss for Traktor.
Lada will keep its run for a postseason spot as Avangard comes to town today. The Hawks will seek revenge for their home loss to Lada earlier this season (1:3 on Oct. 31). The Omsk side is riding a four-game winning streak and traveled to Togliatti from Nizhnekamsk, where they overcame a two-goal deficit to defeat Neftekhimik in extra time (4:3). Lada, on the other hand, will play their first game since the Channel One Cup break. During the pause, they parted ways with starting goalie Vladislav Podyapolsky (who moved to Dynamo Moscow) and forward Ostap Safin but added defenseman Marsel Ibragimov and forward Danil Yurtaikin. Lada trails the playoff zone in the East, currently occupied by Neftekhimik and Avangard, by five points. Will they manage to narrow the gap?
To close the matchday, a showdown between SKA and Admiral. The St. Petersburg franchise will face Admiral after an emotional victory over Torpedo (6:4), where SKA staged a comeback from a three-goal deficit. The hosts remain in fifth place in the Western Conference with 46 points. Admiral, sitting comfortably in the Eastern playoff zone with a ten-point cushion, arrives in St. Petersburg after a loss to Dynamo Moscow (2:4). Earlier this season, the two teams faced off in Vladivostok, with Admiral claiming a SO win on Nov. 28 (3:2 SO). SKA will aim for revenge on home ice, where the Sailors don’t celebrate a win since 2016.
13:30: Sibir (13-17-3, 10th E) vs Amur (7-25-4, 12th E)
About the game
Sibir is in the middle of a three-game home series and lost to Avangard on Tuesday (3:5).
Amur starts a three-game road trip on a four-match losing streak.
Sibir’s forward Vladimir Butuzov is on a five-game scoring streak, with 5 (2+3) points over that span.
Sibir’s defenseman Trevor Murphy is on a four-game scoring streak, with 8 (3+5) points.
Sibir’s forward Sergei Shirokov is on a three-game scoring streak, with 3 (1+2) points.
Amur’s forward Alex Galchenyuk is on a four-game scoring streak, with 6 (2+4) points.
Injury list
Amur: Alexander Bryntsev.
Milestone alert
Sibir’s forward Andy Andreoff lines up for his 100th league appearance.
14:00: Traktor (22-10-4, 1st E) vs Barys (10-25-3, 11th E)
About the game
Traktor, who defeated Barys earlier this season (4:1), ends a two-game home series after losing its last couple of matches.
Barys ends a five-game road trip following a loss to Kunlun Red Star on Thursday (0:2).
Injury list
Barys: Roman Starchenko.
16:00: Lada (13-15-5, 9th E) vs Avangard (17-16-2, 8th E)
About the game
Lada, who defeated Avangard earlier this season (3:1), starts a two-game home series on a two-match losing streak.
Avangard enters the third game of a four-match road trip on a four-game winning streak.
Avangard’s defenseman Ryan Merkley is on a four-game scoring streak, with 4 (1+3) points over that span.
Injury list
Lada: Vladislav Chervonenko, Nikolai Demidov, Nikita Popugayev.
Avangard: Sergei Boikov, Alex Grant, Ilya Reingardt, Vladimir Tkachyov.
Milestone alert
Avangard’s defenseman Damir Sharipzyanov lines up for his 500th league game.
17:00: SKA (21-11-4, 5th W) vs Admiral (18-15-5, 6th E)
About the game
SKA ends a five-game home series and defeated Torpedo on Thursday (6:4).
Admiral, who defeated SKA earlier this season (4:3 SO), enters the fourth game of a five-match road trip following a loss to Dynamo Moscow also on Thursday (2:4).
SKA’s Marat Khairullin is on a nine-game scoring streak, with 15 (7+8) points over that span.
Admiral’s goalie Ilya Konovalov is on a 74:35 shutout streak.
Admiral’s forward Daniil Gutik is on a four-game scoring streak, with 6 (4+2) points.
Admiral’s forward Stepan Starkov is on a three-game scoring streak, with 6 (2+4) points.
Injury list
SKA: Artyom Zemchyonok.
Admiral: Mario Grman.
Milestone alert
SKA’s forward Evgeny Kuznetsov may record his 200th KHL point (currently at 199).
