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Fifth Urals derby between Avtomobilist and Traktor, Barys hosts Sibir
The KHL matchday features just two games, after plenty of emotions on Christmas. Both matches are set in the Eastern Conference, with Avtomobilist and Traktor clashing for the fifth time this season, and Barys seeking a return to victory in a home game against Sibir.
In the fifth Urals derby of the season, the Motormen host Traktor with the two clubs being in very different positions. Avtomobilist has only one win in its last five matches – although over Lokomotiv, an achievement that not so many teams can boast this season – including a 1:3 loss to Traktor on Dec. 5. The Motormen were as high as the second seed in the Eastern Conference, but now slipped down to fifth place, with also Metallurg overtaking them after a 4:2 home win in the direct clash. The Chelyabinsk side is still on the top of the Eastern Conference’s table.
In the second match of the day, Barys welcomes Sibir. The Kazakhs are on a three-game losing streak, and sit in penultimate place in the Eastern Conference. Sibir starts a long, seven-game road trip today, and most recently defeated Admiral. The Novosibirsk side has just two victories in the last five matches, and at this pace it will be hard to rally back to eighth place in the East. Sibir is currently the tenth seed in the Conference, trailing eighth-placed Neftekhimik by five points, with three games in hand. It’s the third encounter between the two sides this season, with the teams trading wins.
17:00: Avtomobilist (20-12-4, 5th E) vs Traktor (24-10-4, 1st E)
About the game
Avtomobilist starts a three-game home series following a loss to Severstal on Sunday (2:3).
Traktor enters the second game of a four-match road trip on a two-game winning streak.
The season series between the two teams is 2-2 (3:2, 5:4, 3:5, 1:3).
Traktor’s defenseman Grigory Dronov is on a four-game scoring streak, with 4 (1+3) points over that span.
Traktor’s forward Maxim Shabanov is on a three-game scoring streak, with 4 (3+1) points.
Injury list
Avtomobilist: Nick Ebert, Daniil Karpovich.
Milestone alert
Avtomobilist’s forward Brooks Macek may reach 250 league points (currently at 249), while Stepan Khripunov may record his 100th (currently at 99).
Traktor’s forward Alexander Kadeikin may record his 300th KHL point (currently at 298).
17:30: Barys (10-27-3, 11th E) vs Sibir (14-18-3, 10th E)
About the game
Barys ends a two-game home series on a three-game losing streak.
Sibir starts a seven-game road trip fresh off a win over Admiral on Monday (2:4).
The season series between the two teams is 1-1 (3:1, 0:2).
Sibir’s forward Vladimir Butuzov is on a seven-game scoring streak, with 7 (3+4) points over that span.
Sibir’s forward Vladislav Kara is on a four-game scoring streak, with 4 (3+1) points.
Injury list
Barys: Roman Starchenko.
Sibir: Fyodor Gordeyev.
