Avangard hosts Metallurg in a four-game matchday!
Four games are on tap on an exciting KHL Wednesday, with two games per conference. In the East, Avangard welcomes Metallurg, while Lada faces Salavat Yulaev. In Moscow, Dynamo clashes with HC Sochi and CSKA hosts Dinamo Minsk trying to return to victory after two consecutive losses.
One of the most exciting games of the matchday will be the showdown between Avangard and Metallurg. Five matchups between Omsk and Magnitogorsk are already in the books this season. Four of them were decided by just one goal, and three went beyond regulation. Metallurg leads the season series 3-2, with their most recent victory coming in Omsk just before the New Year, thanks to Alexander Petunin’s game-winning goal in the 58th minute. Six points divide the two teams on the standings, with Metallurg having the upper hand. Both sides are on active winning streaks, with the Hawks winning four straight matches, and Magnitka defeating Barys (3:1), Sibir (5:2), and Traktor (3:1). This will be Metallurg’s last game of a long, seven-match road trip.
In the second Eastern showdown of the day, Lada hosts Salavat Yulaev. The Togliatti side has finally halted a long skid with a win in Astana (4:2) and will now try to repeat the feat as the team returns home for a game. Salavat Yulaev has recently won a ticket to the playoffs but will be focused and seeking a third straight win after defeating Ak Bars (3:0) and Lokomotiv (3:2 OT), with Scott Wilson netting the game-winner in the game against the Railwaymen. Theoretically, Lada still has chances to get to the postseason, but at this point it seems unlikely.
The action then moves to the Western Conference for two further games. First, Dynamo Moscow hosts HC Sochi. The Black Sea franchise is currently riding a three-game winning streak, with a victory over Neftekhimik (3:2 OT) and two sensational straight triumphs over CSKA (2:0, 4:1). The Muscovites lost a Capital Derby to Spartak on Monday (2:3 OT) but earlier achieved three straight wins. The Blue-and-Whites are currently the second seed in the West, trailing only Lokomotiv on the table.
Finally, CSKA will seek a return to victory as they host Dinamo Minsk. The Bisons defeated CSKA twice this season and will be playing to win to increase their positioning – they are currently the seventh seed in the West. CSKA is fifth but also needs points and gaining confidence back as the postseason approaches. Head coach Ilya Vorobyov is still seeking his 350th KHL win.
16:30: Avangard (31-21-4, 6th E) vs Metallurg (34-18-4, 5th E)
About the game
Avangard enters the second game of a four-match home series on a four-game winning streak.
Metallurg ends a seven-game road trip on a three-match winning streak.
The season series between the two teams is 2-3 (2:4, 3:2 OT, 2:1 SO, 1:2 OT, 1:2).
Avangard’s defenseman Damir Sharipzyanov is on a five-game scoring streak, with 7 (3+4) points over that span.
Avangard’s forward Ryan Spooner is on a four-game scoring streak, with 8 (3+5) points.
Avangard’s forward Nail Yakupov is on a three-game scoring streak, with 5 (1+4) points.
Avangard’s forward Konstantin Okulov is also on a three-game scoring streak, with 7 (3+4) points.
Avangard’s forward Ilya Kablukov is on a three-game scoring streak, with 4 (1+3) points.
Metallurg’s forward Dmitry Silantyev is on a three-game scoring streak, with 5 (1+4) points.
Metallurg’s forward Yegor Korobkin had an assist in each of his previous three matches.
Metallurg’s forward Andrei Kozlov is on a three-game scoring streak, with 3 (2+1) points.
Injury list
Avangard: Sergei Boikov, Reid Boucher, Alex Grant, Nikita Kholodilin, Michael McLeod, Vladimir Tkachyov.
Metallurg: Vladislav Yeryomenko.
Milestone alert
Avangard’s forward Nail Yakupov may score his 100th KHL goal (currently at 99).
Metallurg’s forward Igor Geraskin may reach 200 KHL points (currently at 199).
18:00: Lada (19-29-6, 10th E) vs Salavat Yulaev (36-16-3, 2nd E)
About the game
Lada plays the lone home game of the series following a win over Barys on Saturday (4:2).
Salavat Yulaev starts a two-game road trip on a two-match winning streak.
The season series between the two sides is 0-2 (1:3, 1:2 SO).
Salavat Yulaev’s forward Alexander Chmelevsky is on a five-game scoring streak, with 8 (3+5) points over that span.
Salavat Yulaev’s forward Denis Yan is on a three-game scoring streak, with 3 (2+1) points.
Injury list
Lada: Vladislav Chervonenko, Nikolai Demidov, Mikhail Fisenko, Maxim Groshev, Pavel Koltygin.
Salavat Yulaev: Gleb Kuzmin, Grigory Panin.
Milestone alert
Lada’s defenseman Maxim Berezin may reach 100 KHL assists (currently at 99).
19:30: Dynamo Moscow (34-16-5, 2nd W) vs HC Sochi (18-31-6, 11th W)
About the game
Dynamo Moscow starts a two-game home series following a loss to Spartak on Monday (2:3 OT).
HC Sochi is in the middle of a three-game road trip and won its previous three matches.
The season series between the two teams is 2-1 (5:1, 2:0, 1:3).
Dynamo Moscow’s forward Nikita Gusev is on a seven-game scoring streak, with 12 (7+5) points over that span.
Dynamo Moscow’s forward Jordan Weal is on a four-game scoring streak, with 6 (2+4) points.
HC Sochi’s forward Alexander Khokhlachyov is on a three-game scoring streak, with 3 (2+1) points.
Injury list
Dynamo Moscow: Artyom Ilyenko, Brennan Menell.
Milestone alert
HC Sochi’s forward Artur Tyanulin lines up for his 200th league appearance.
19:30: CSKA (31-16-8, 5th W) vs Dinamo Minsk (29-18-7, 7th W)
About the game
CSKA ends a two-game home series following two straight defeats.
Dinamo Minsk enters the second game of a four-match road trip after defeating Vityaz on Monday (4:2).
The season series between the two sides is 0-2 (4:5 OT, 0:2).
Injury list
CSKA: Vitaly Abramov, Ivan Prosvetov, Dmitry Samorukov.
Dinamo Minsk: Dillon Dube, Nikita Pyshkailo.
Milestone alert
CSKA’s defenseman Nikita Nesterov may reach 200 KHL assists (currently at 198).
CSKA’s head coach Ilya Vorobyov may celebrate his 350th KHL win.
Dinamo Minsk’s defenseman Nicolas Meloche lines up for his 100th KHL appearance.
