KHL press office
exclusive for khl.ru
Salavat Yulaev eyes top place in the standings visiting Avangard
The KHL matchday sees four games across both conference, with Avangard welcoming Salavat Yulaev, Avtomobilist hosting Dinamo Minsk, Lada clashing with Kunlun Red Star and Vityaz trying to end its skid against Severstal as the team tries to return to the playoff picture in the Western Conference.
In the first Eastern game of the matchday, Avangard hosts Salavat Yulaev. The Hawks are riding a three-game winning streak, with victories over Neftekhimik (5:1), Ak Bars (3:1), and Severstal (6:5 SO). Not long ago, Avangard was outside of the playoff picture, yet the Hawks are currently the sixth seed in the Eastern Conference. Salavat Yulaev today has a chance to return to the top of the Conference’s table, trailing Traktor only by one point. In its most recent outing, Salavat Yulaev defeated Neftekhimik (7:4). The Hawks have two wins over Salavat Yulaev this season, with the Ufa team taking one game.
Following is a game between Avtomobilist and Dinamo Minsk. The Bisons are one of the teams in best shape in the league, and today will start a new road trip after two wins, over CSKA (2:0) and Sibir (3:2 OT), and four overall victories in their last five matches. The Motormen managed to revert the trend – after three consecutive losses, they defeated Barys (3:2 SO) and Admiral (4:3) and are currently the fifth seed in the East. Dinamo Minsk climbed up to fifth place in the Western Conference.
In Togliatti, Kunlun Red Star will try to stretch its current winning streak. The Dragons start a new road trip after six consecutive wins. Several players are in good shape, but the highlights are goalie Jeremy Smith and the Foo brothers. The hosts defeated Barys on Thursday (1:0), and just like the Dragons, are fighting to return to the playoff places. Lada is currently tied with Neftekhimik in ninth place in the Eastern Conference – the same spot held by Kunlun Red Star in the West.
The matchday moves to the Western Conference for a further game, with Vityaz hosting Severstal. The Moscow Region franchise lost its previous five matches, while Severstal lost to Avangard on Wednesday. Both teams aren’t in their best shape, with the Steelers only winning twice in the last five games. Vityaz has defeated Severstal twice this season but slipped down to tenth place in its five-match skid. Severstal is the seventh seed in the West.
14:00: Avangard (21-18-3, 6th E) vs Salavat Yulaev (28-12-2, 2nd E)
About the game
Avangard starts a three-game home series on a three-match winning streak.
Salavat Yulaev, who defeated Avangard earlier this season (4:2), ends a three-game road trip following a win over Neftekhimik on Friday (7:4).
Avangard’s forward Nail Yakupov is on a five-game scoring streak, with 7 (4+3) points over that span.
Avangard’s forward Nikolai Prokhorkin had an assist in each of his previous three matches.
Injury list
Avangard: Sergei Boikov, Emil Galimov, Alex Grant, Vladimir Tkachyov.
Salavat Yulaev: Gleb Kuzmin.
Milestone alert
Avangard’s forward Giovanni Fiore lines up for his 100th KHL game.
Avangard’s forward Nikolai Prokhorkin may score his 350th KHL point (currently at 348), while forward Ryan Spooner can reach 250 (currently at 248).
15:00: Avtomobilist (23-13-6, 5th E) vs Dinamo Minsk (25-14-5, 5th W)
About the game
Avtomobilist, who defeated Dinamo Minsk earlier this season (3:2 OT), ends a two-game home series on a two-match winning streak.
Dinamo Minsk starts a four-game road trip also on a two-match winning streak.
Dinamo Minsk’s forward Vadim Shipachyov is on a five-game scoring streak, with 6 (1+5) points over that span.
Injury list
Avtomobilist: Nick Ebert, Curtis Valk.
16:00: Lada (17-19-5, 9th E) vs Kunlun Red Star (19-20-4, 9th W)
About the game
Lada, who defeated Kunlun Red Star earlier this season (2:1), enters the second game of a five-match home series following a win over Barys on Thursday (1:0).
Kunlun Red Star starts a five-game road trip on a six-match winning streak.
Lada’s goalie Alexander Trushkov is on a 69:55 shutout streak.
Kunlun Red Star’s goalie Jeremy Smith is on a 72:18 shutout streak.
Kunlun Red Star’s forward Spencer Foo is on a three-game scoring streak, with 5 (4+1) points over that span.
Kunlun Red Star’s forward Parker Foo had at least an assist in each of his previous three matches, totaling four helpers.
Injury list
Lada: Vladislav Chervonenko, Nikolai Demidov, Nikita Popugayev.
Kunlun Red Star: Jack Chelios, Semyon Sinyatkin.
17:00: Vityaz (16-21-5, 10th W) vs Severstal (26-16-1, 7th W)
About the game
Vityaz starts a two-game home series on a five-match losing streak.
Severstal starts a three-game road trip following a loss to Avangard on Wednesday (5:6 SO).
The season series between the two teams is 2-0 (2:0, 7:1).
Severstal’s forward Danil Aimurzin tallied at least a goal in each of his previous four games, totaling five goals.
Injury list
Vityaz: Alexander Daryin, Sergei Kalinin, Grigory Vashchenko.
Severstal: Yaroslav Dyblenko.
Milestone alert
Vityaz’s goalie Dmitry Shikin may record his 10th KHL shutout.
Severstal’s goalie Konstantin Shostak and defenseman Ioannis Kaldis may line up for their 100th league appearance.
