Possible decision day in Nizhnekamsk

With only one game on tap today, Ak Bars has a chance to book a ticket for the postseason play with a win in Nizhnekamsk.

Only one game is on tap today, with Ak Bars visiting Neftekhimik as the teams face off for the third time this season. The Kazan side claimed both games, with a 6:1 aggregate score. Moreover, Ak Bars has a chance to become the third team in the Eastern Conference to book a ticket for the playoffs, following Traktor and Salavat Yulaev. In the Western Conference, so far only Lokomotiv has claimed his postseason spot. However, the Kazan side isn’t in the best moment, with three consecutive defeats, coming in games against Torpedo (1:5), Salavat Yulaev (0:3), and Avangard (2:6). Despite this setback, the Kazan franchise retained its spot in the Conference’s top four.

Neftekhimik just collected a nice home win over SKA on Saturday (4:3), but previously lost two straight matches, to HC Sochi (2:3 OT) and Salavat Yulaev (1:4), respectively. The Wolves still have some hopes to get to the postseason, but their ten-point gap from the playoffs line is intimidating, and hard to overcome.

19:00: Neftekhimik (17-24-14, 9^th E) vs Ak Bars (35-18-2, 4^th E)
About the game

Neftekhimik ends a two-game home series following a win over SKA on Saturday (4:3).

Ak Bars ends a three-game home series and lost its previous three matches.

The season series between the two teams is 0-2 (1:4, 0:2).

Neftekhimik’s forward German Tochilkin is on a four-game scoring streak, with 5 (1+4) points over that span.

Injury list

Neftekhimik: Roman Abrosimov, Alexander Dergachyov, Yegor Korbit.

Ak Bars: Yegor Babenko, Mitchell Miller, Ilya Safonov.

Milestone alert

Neftekhimik’s forward Vyacheslav Leshchenko may reach 100 KHL goals (currently at 99), 100 assists (currently at 99), and 200 points (currently at 198).