Two classic matchups in Magnitogorsk and Moscow!
Today's KHL schedule features four intriguing matchups. In the East, Sibir and Admiral meet as both aim to break two-game losing streaks, while Metallurg faces Avangard in a classic conference showdown, with the Hawks concluding a four-game road trip. Salavat Yulaev, hosting Amur, looks to rebound after two losses, while the Tigers hope for another standout performance from newcomer Matt Jurusik. Over in the West, Dynamo Moscow takes on Ak Bars in a rematch, with both teams seeking consistency after mixed results in their recent outings.
Sibir faces Admiral with both teams trying to revert the trend as they lost twice in a row. The Novosibirsk side fell to Avangard (3:5) and Amur (1:5), while Admiral lost to Dynamo Moscow (2:4) and SKA (2:3 OT). Despite the setbacks, Admiral sits in sixth place in the Eastern Conference’s standings, with a nine-point advantage over the ninth-placed Lada. Sibir is just in tenth position, and has recently acquired Brendan Leipsic from Avtomobilist.
Another team who recently acquired an import player is Metallurg. The Urals franchise completed a trade with SKA, sending hard-working forward Pavel Akolzin for Croatian large-framed Borna Rendulic. Magnitka hosts Avangard today for a classic Eastern Conference matchup, with the Hawks claiming two victories in three clashes this season. Metallurg won its previous couple of matches, while the Hawks lost to Lada and today ends a four-game road trip. The Andrei Razin’s team showed good hockey in their recent streak, and will be on the lookout for a third straight win.
In the meantime, Salavat Yulaev will try to return to victory after two straight losses hosting Amur. The Ufa team was in excellent shape before the December break, but then failed to keep its pace and lost to regional rivals Ak Bars (2:3) and Metallurg (2:4). The Tigers have struggled recently, but returned to victory in good fashion on the road in Novosibirsk (5:1), with two goals coming from Devin Brosseau. Newcomer goalie, American Matt Jurusik, has been instrumental for Amur in the win, with the Tigers also releasing netminder Igor Bobkov to free agency. Salavat Yulaev is still the second team in the Eastern Conference, with good chances to rally past Traktor in the future, while Amur is on the bottom of the league’s table.
Finally, in the only Western Conference’s game of the matchday, Dynamo Moscow clashes with Ak Bars for the second time this season. After a shocking home defeat to Barys, the Blue-and-Whites recovered and acquired a strong-willed victory over Admiral in Moscow. Ak Bars has most recently lost to Dinamo Minsk in Kazan, and will start today a short road trip that will bring the team facing the Bisons again on Wednesday, this time in the Belarusian capital. After that, Ak Bars will play six consecutive home games.
15:30: Sibir (13-18-3, 10th E) vs Admiral (18-15-6, 6th E)
About the game
Sibir ends a three-game home series on a two-match losing streak.
Admiral ends a five-game road trip after two consecutive losses.
Sibir’s forward Vladimir Butuzov is on a six-game scoring streak, with 6 (3+3) points over that span.
Sibir’s forward Vladislav Kara is on a three-game scoring streak, with 3 (2+1) points.
Admiral’s goalie Ilya Konovalov is on a 74:35 shutout streak.
Admiral’s forward Daniil Gutik is on a five-game scoring streak, with 7 (5+2) points.
Injury list
Admiral: Mario Grman.
17:00: Metallurg (21-15-2, 5th E) vs Avangard (17-17-2, 7th E)
About the game
Metallurg ends a three-game home series on a two-match winning streak.
Avangard ends a four-game road trip and lost to Lada on Saturday (3:4).
The season series between the two teams is 1-2 (4:2, 2:3 OT, 1:2 SO).
Metallurg’s defenseman Robin Press is on a five-game scoring streak, with 6 (1+5) points over that span.
Metallurg’s forward Daniil Vovchenko had an assist in each of his previous five matches.
Metallurg’s forward Roman Kantserov is on a four-game scoring streak, with 7 (5+2) points.
Metallurg’s forward Dmitry Silantyev had an assist in each of his previous three games.
Avangard’s defenseman Damir Sharipzyanov is on a three-game scoring streak, with 4 (3+1) points.
Injury list
Metallurg: Vladislav Yeryomenko.
Avangard: Sergei Boikov, Alex Grant, Ilya Reingardt, Vladimir Tkachyov.
Milestone alert
Metallurg’s defenseman Danila Palivko lines up for his 100th league appearance.
17:00: Salavat Yulaev (23-10-2, 2nd E) vs Amur (8-25-4, 12th E)
About the game
Salavat Yulaev starts a five-game home series following two straight defeats.
Amur is in the middle of a three-game road trip and defeated Sibir on Saturday (5:1).
Amur’s forward Alex Galchenyuk is on a five-game scoring streak, with 7 (2+5) points over that span.
Injury list
Salavat Yulaev: Gleb Kuzmin.
Amur: Alexander Bryntsev.
Milestone alert
Salavat Yulaev’s goalie Alexander Samonov may record his 20th KHL shutout.
19:30: Dynamo Moscow (23-11-3, 3rd W) vs Ak Bars (22-10-2, 3rd E)
About the game
Dynamo Moscow ends a four-game home series following a win over Admiral on Thursday (4:2).
Ak Bars, who defeated Dynamo Moscow this season (5:4), starts a two-game road trip after a loss to Dinamo Minsk on Friday (1:3).
Ak Bars’ defenseman Mitchell Miller is on a six-game scoring streak, with 8 (1+7) points over that span.
Ak Bars’ forward Kirill Semyonov is on a four-game scoring streak, with 4 (1+3) points.
Injury list
Ak Bars: Yegor Babenko.
Milestone alert
Dynamo Moscow’s forward Nikita Gusev may reach 650 KHL points (currently at 646).
Ak Bars’ forward Ilya Safonov may score his 100th league point (currently at 99).
