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Western Conference battles heat up in a light KHL matchday
A three-game matchday in the Western Conference promises intense action as teams fight for critical points. Spartak continues its road trip against Vityaz, seeking a rebound after a shocking loss to Kunlun Red Star, while Vityaz looks to bolster its playoff hopes. In Sochi, CSKA aims to extend its impressive ten-game winning streak against the local team, which has yet to beat the Muscovites at home. Meanwhile, Dinamo Minsk hosts Lokomotiv in a packed arena, with both teams riding winning streaks and looking to maintain momentum.
After a surprising and disappointing loss to Kunlun Red Star, Spartak continues its road trip facing Vityaz. The Moscow Region franchise ends a long, eight-game homestand as it faces the Red-and-Whites for the fourth time this season. Spartak took all three games before, and will look for a fourth victory to turn the tide after its loss to the Dragons. Vityaz is looking to get points for its playoffs push, but has most recently lost to Lokomotiv (3:5) and has only two wins in its last five games. Other than its loss to Kunlun Red Star, Spartak won three games in the last five, against Dinamo Minsk (3:2 OT), Vityaz (4:2), and Barys (2:4), and lost to CSKA in extra time (4:5 OT). The Red-and-Whites are now in third place in the Western Conference, being overtaken by CSKA. Vityaz is the ninth seed in the Conference. At the trade deadline, Vityaz acquired goalie Andrei Kareyev after he dissolved his contract in Minsk, while Spartak traded with Neftekhimik to get netminder Artyom Zagidulin in exchange for d-man Timur Khairullin. The Red-and-Whites also sent goalie Patrik Rybar to Kunlun Red Star via waivers, and sent forward Kirill Kozhevnikov to Avangard.
CSKA was also active on the transfer market; despite its ten-game winning streak, the Muscovites opted to strengthen their roster acquiring goalie Pavel Khomchenko (who was released by Avangard), and forward Rourke Chartier off Kunlun Red Star. Today, the opponent is HC Sochi. The two teams are in opposite situations as now, yet Sochi is among the few teams that defeated CSKA this season. However, they have never defeated CSKA at home in the KHL. Time for a trend reversal?
In the last game of the matchday, Dinamo Minsk hosts Lokomotiv. Both teams won games recently, with the Bisons being on a two-match winning streak and the Railwaymen celebrating three straight victories. Lokomotiv defeated Dinamo in their first encounter in the season, but today the arena in the Belarusian capital will be packed for the last game in 2024 and getting a strong road performance won’t be as easy for Lokomotiv. Both teams were quiet at the deadline, with Lokomotiv signing Richard Panik a couple of weeks ago and Dinamo Minsk returning d-man Evgeny Lisovets after five seasons.
14:00: Vityaz (16-18-4, 9th W) vs Spartak (24-9-5, 3rd W)
About the game
Vityaz ends an eight-game home series following a loss to Lokomotiv on Friday (3:5).
Spartak enters the ninth game of a thirteen-match road trip after losing to Kunlun Red Star also on Friday (2:4).
The season series between the two teams is 0-3 (3:4 ОТ, 4:5 ОТ, 2:4).
Injury list
Vityaz: Sergei Kalinin, Jeremy Roy, Ivan Savchik, Dean Stewart, Grigory Vashchenko.
Spartak: Ansel Galimov, Andrei Mironov.
Milestone alert
Vityaz’s goalie Dmitry Shikin may reach 10 KHL shutouts.
17:00: HC Sochi (12-23-3, 11th W) vs CSKA (24-7-7, 2nd W)
About the game
HC Sochi, who defeated CSKA earlier this year (4:3 SO), enters the second game of a five-match home series following a loss to SKA on Friday (4:5).
CSKA enters the second game of a six-match road trip on a ten-game winning streak.
HC Sochi’s forward Artur Tyanulin is on a three-game scoring streak, with 4 (2+2) points over that span.
HC Sochi’s forward Artemy Kuznetsov is also on a three-game scoring streak, with 4 (1+3) points.
CSKA’s forward Vitaly Abramov is on a seven-game scoring streak, with 12 (7+5) points.
CSKA’s forward Maxim Sorkin is on a six-game scoring streak, with 9 (6+3) points.
Injury list
HC Sochi: Amir Garayev.
CSKA: Yegor Fateyev, Dmitry Samorukov.
17:10: Dinamo Minsk (21-13-5, 7th W) vs Lokomotiv (32-7-2, 1st W)
Abut the game
Dinamo Minsk ends a four-game home series on a two-match winning streak.
Lokomotiv, who defeated Dinamo Minsk earlier this season (3:2), ends a three-game road trip after three straight wins.
Dinamo Minsk’s goalie Vasily Demchenko is on a 67:03 shutout streak.
Lokomotiv’s goalie Alexei Melnichuk is on an 88:01 shutout streak.
Lokomotiv’s forward Maxim Beryozkin is on a three-game scoring streak, with 3 (1+2) points over that span.
Lokomotiv’s forward Maxim Shalunov is also on a three-game scoring streak, with 6 (2+4) points.
Injury list
Dinamo Minsk: Daniil Sotishvili.
Milestone alert
Dinamo Minsk’s forward Vadim Shipachyov may reach 950 KHL points (currently at 949).
